MOLLY CAN SET THE PACE AGAIN
IT’S ALL about the ladies again at HQ this evening as the second round of the Shelbourne Christmas Oaks takes place.
Rathdown Molly returned to winning ways last week when clocking 28.49 for the 525 yards trip, holding off Droopys Nice One’s challenge.
Molly led down the back straight showing her terrific pace with just a length separating them at the finish.
Molly races from trap three in heat 2 for trainer Marie Gilbert with a chance taken on her to set the pace again.
The main danger is Lets Go Bubbles who ran on well to win in 28.53 by a length and a half to trap one here Highview Coral.
Turbo
Annual Coco in trap two has to be taken seriously after finishing second to Boylesports Coco in the opening round. It’s a competitive heat with preference given to Rathdown Molly.
Boylesports Coco was the fastest heat winner as she clocked 28.39 for trainer Dolores Ruth.
She turned on the turbo power from the second bend but was almost caught on the line by Annual Coco.
It was a third win in a row for the daughter of Droopys Sydney-barn Swallow with trap two to suit in heat 3.
Hello Mom will be fast away along the rails while heat winner Ballymac Vida can put in another fine performance if getting a clear run.
Droopys Nice One has been running with the best of them since the start of her career and this Murt Leahy trained star can land heat 4 for her owner John Coleman.
She ran wide off the last bend which gave Rathdown Molly the advantage but I think she can get back into the winners enclosure from trap six. Glengar Jasmine in trap looks a danger.
The opening heat looks wide open with a chance taken on Lilywhite Queen in trap one.
She flew out last week from a tricky draw in five so the inside pitch might help her cause for trainer Murt Leahy.
She has a fast 28.33 over course and distance so we know she is more than capable, she just needs a bit of luck.
Heat winner Highview Mags and Stonepark Molly are the dangers.
The 2023 Shelbourne Marathon 1025 Final is going to be a cracking contest with €4,500 up for grabs.
Not much separated the two heat winners from last week with Ballymac Katie clocking 59.83 and Terrific Intent 59.93.
Both were outstanding winners but it’s likely the Liam Dowling trained Ballymac Katie will be the favourite.
Rivals
This daughter of Ballymac Anton-ballymac Merkle pulled clear of her rivals last week and went on to win by 18 lengths.
It was a dominate display as she took off around the halfway point of the marathon distance on her first time over the trip.
She races from trap four again with Terrific Intent in trap five for Rhys Fortune.
This daughter of Droopys Cain-vinegarhill Toni also dominated her rivals to win by a length and a half with no signs of fatigue on the home stretch.
It was only her eight-career start so her connections can be very excited about her. She obliged at 10/1 with the 7/4 favourite Highjay Muzzy finishing second following her awesome victory the week previous in the Winter Racing Festival Championship 850.
I’m going to take a chance on Terrific Intent as I think she can set the pace again.