UNMATCHED DELIVERS A SENSATIONAL PERFORMANCE IN THE CORK OAKS

Barry Drake

UNMATCHED (Droopys Sydney-Droopys Alice), trained by Johnny Linehan for owners the Swipe-Right-Syndicate, delivered the performance of the night in Curraheen Park on Saturday night as the even-money favourite clocked a stunning 28.07 in the third and final heat in round two of the Apex Global Resources Ltd Cork Oaks. 

Getting it right from traps, Unmatched came away racing and she flew around the opening corners in top gear. Flying clear down the back straight, it was soon game over and it was very much a race against the clock. Showing huge pace and power throughout, the most impressive winner stormed to a sensational winning performance, seven and a half lengths clear of Bredas Wood. Bockos Crystal was a notable non-runner in this heat.

Goldcash Ice (Ice On Fire-Paradise Asia) delivered a powerful finish to win the second heat for Jack Mead and Mairead Doyle. Out the back early on, the 9-2 winner made her move on the back straight and she then produced a fantastic finish to run down the early-paced Glengar Jasmine. No stranger to big performances around course and distance, it was a 28.47 winning run, with three-quarters of a length back to Glengar Jasmine in second. 

In the opening heat, Orchid Queen (Droopys Sydney-Cicero) displayed huge staying power when coming from last to first. Owned by Nathan Moloney, the 4-1 shot was still last as they approached the second last corner, however, she had all the answers late on. Ballymac Run looked in control for most of the journey, but Orchid Queen spoiled the party with a big late finish. A head the margin, with Faypoint Susie just getting the better of the Ballymac runner for second. A 28.80 winning performance.

Droopys Carbine (Droopys Jet-Droopys Pickles) is a youngster going places and the Pat Kiely trained runner delivered a high-class performance in the Con & Annie Kirby Memorial Trial Stake. In the ownership of Mike Kiely and Michael Ryan, the 7-4 second favourite flew from traps to win the all-important early lead. In truth, the outcome was never in doubt as the exciting youngster displayed outstanding early speed to run out a wide-margin winner, in 28.37.