Sapphire can sparkle again
The 2022 Sporting Press Online Edition Irish Oaks will kick off at Shelbourne Park this evening with Susie Sapphire defending her crown.
This Owen McKenna-trained superstar has been nothing short of sensational with the Puppy Oaks, Irish Oaks, Irish Greyhound Derby and Easter Cup already under her belt with over €183,000 in her bank account.
Susie was brilliant when winning the Oaks title last year and she will begin her journey from trap four in race 6.
She ran here a few weeks ago and found some trouble after setting the pace where she ended up finishing last. But she trialed at HQ earlier this week clocking 28.31 over the 525 yards trip and her trainer has reported that she’s in great form and very fresh.
She is the one to beat in her heat despite her draw in the black jacket. Her awesome early speed should be enough to see her take up the lead with plenty of emerging talent here.
Burgess Rapid in trap one has two wins from six starts which includes a 28.64 spin, so she is open to improvement along with Burgess Josie in three and Crafty Jayko in five.
It’s a tough heat but class is permanent with Susie the 5/ 2 favourite with BoyleSports to win back-to- back titles.
Scooby Duchess is a bitch that caught my eye last year when winning the Shelbourne Puppy Oaks in November in 28.37 for trainer Jennifer O’Donnell.
We haven’t seen much of her this year but her recent trials at the Dublin track suggest she is in good order so she can land race 8 from trap two.
Mags Memory looks a danger in trap six with Eagleview Sarah in trap three the one who could set the pace.
I’m a big fan of Maries Wedding for trainer Dolores Ruth so she is my choice from trap two in race 5. This daughter of Droopys Sydney- Ballymac Petsy was runner- up in the € 5,000 Suncroft Festival Puppy Oaks last month behind Ballymac Snazzy with just a head separating them at the finish. With three wins from six starts and a fast 28.21 on her card she is my choice to get the better of Droopys Dot and Dark Ava.
Ballymac Snazzy as mentioned above can win race 2 in the white jacket for owner and trainer Liam Dowling.
She has lovely early and plenty of pace so she looks the one with her kennel companion Ballymac Whispa a major player.
Opening
The opening heat can go to the powerhouse Ballymac Ariel in trap six if she can go well fresh. We haven’t seen her race this year yet so she will need to get a clear run.
Tip Top Taylor in trap five is also making her 2022 debut for Paul Ryan so this could be a heat where we will see an outsider win but it’s too hard to oppose Ariel who has clocked 27.92 over this trip but it was back in 2020.
The English Greyhound Derby started on Thursday evening at Towcester with a very strong Irish team taking part.
The opening round continues tonight with the likes of Romeo On Fire, All About Ted, Knight Tornado, Deadly Destroyer, Wide Open, Bockos Budsit and Beach Avenue all lining up.
The second round of the €17,000 Larry O’Rourke National Produce Stakes takes place at Clonmel Stadium on Sunday with all eyes on Swords Rex, the 5/ 2 ante post favourite. This Graham Holland trained youngster clocked a blistering 27.93 over the 525 yards trip which is just six spots off the track record.
This Con & Annie Kirby Memorial winner is now eight wins from 13 starts and the future is looking bright. He gets the nod from trap one in race 9 for owner Barbara Lowndes. Halo can win race 8 from trap four for trainer Declan Byrne.