Ballydoyle Tina sets Christmas Oaks standard
The second round of the Christmas Oaks took place at Shelbourne Park on Saturday night. Pic:Â Harry Murphy/Sportsfile
The exciting Ballydoyle Tina set the standard in Saturday night’s second round of the Bernard Barry-sponsored Christmas Oaks, at Shelbourne Park.
The lightly raced youngster contested a red-hot heat which included Laurels heroine Magical On Fire, but she produced arguably the most complete performance of her young life to date.
The 4-5 chance edged right early but had the pace to lead around as trouble befell Magical On Fire. Clear down the back, she led turning for home, by which point the latter had shown remarkable pace to reduce the deficit to a couple of lengths.
That was as close as it got, however, as Ballydoyle Tina galloped on relentlessly to maintain that level of authority, doing so in 28.26.
Jerry Melia’s A Lucky Julie got back to winning ways by taking the first heat in good style. The former Oaks winner was poised to challenge when swinging wide off the last bend and while she conceded cheap ground she had the momentum to pass long-time leader Brockagh Justine on her way to a two-and-a-half-length victory in 28.58.
JJ Fennelly’s Burgess Hazel showed a great attitude and no little ability to take the second heat in 28.91. The 8-1 chance was prominent early and looked set to have to settle for third place as Templeville Meg and Silverhill Freya led into the home straight.
However, Burgess Hazel tracked exceptionally well and ran on stoutly to beat the former by a length and a half. Odds-on favourite Silverhill Freya didn’t enjoy being drawn wide and found plenty of trouble but is likely to step forward from this. That said, it remains to be seen if she can get back to the form she showed when winning this in 2024.
The semi-finals of the Eric Browne Memorial Kingdom Derby took place on Friday night in Tralee and the three heats were shared between the kennels of Liam Dowling and Brendan O’Shea, with the former shading the verdict two to one.
Laurels runner-up Solo And Go set the ball rolling for Dowling by taking the first heat in 28.21. Crossfield Dean led most of the way and battled back when passed on the turn for home, but he failed by just a head as Solo And Go stuck to his task gamely to land the spoils.
Dowling doubled up in the heats when Ballymac Tibet took the second semi-final at the expense of Crossfield Roman. The winner lacks a touch of early pace but when push came to shove, he had another gear which his rivals could not live with. The full brother to Solo And Go strode clear to win in 28.31.
After two runner-up finishes, O’Shea got his turn when Crossfield Matt took the third heat. Tracking Magical Keith most of the way, he spied an opportunity on the turn for home, and quickened through along the inside to put the race to bed in great style, doing so in 28.16.
The draw for the final favours Crossfield Matt, being in trap one once again, but there is plenty of early dash on the inside and that could play into the paws of sole middle seed Ballymac Tibet. His turn of pace to win his heat was deeply impressive and if he can keep in touch early, his finishing will be difficult to repel.
1. Crossfield Matt, 2. Magical Keith, 3. Solo And Go, 4. Crossfield Roman, 5. Crossfield Dean, 6. Ballymac Tibet (m).
