MAGNIFICENT MARIES WEDDING STORMS TO VICTORY IN THE CORK OAKS FINAL
Barry Drake
MARIES WEDDING (Droopys Sydney-Ballymac Petsy) ran out a stunning winner of the €5,000 to the winner Apex Global Resources Ltd Cork Oaks Final at Curraheen Park on Saturday night.
No stranger to big race success, Tamara Butler's lady was a recent winner of the Shelbourne Christmas Oaks and she added another big prize to her fantastic CV.
The 5-4 market leader produced her best start in the event, showing fine early speed to turn second behind the fast starting Burgess Rapid. Always within touching distance heading down the back straight, the winner took control between the final corners and she quickly pulled away for another outstanding winning success. Unbeaten throughout the event, the brilliant Maries Wedding pulled five lengths clear of the early leader to take the feature in magnificent style. A 28.31 winning performance, Burgess Rapid next best and a further two lengths back to Millridge Dolly in third place.
Seanie McGrath (Sponsor) making the presentation to Michael Butler after the stunning success of Maries Wedding in the final of the €5,000 to the winner Apex Global Resources Ltd Cork Oaks at Curraheen Park.
IMPRESSIVE EARLY DASH
The €1,000 to the winner N & C Decorators Enniskeane & CPSC A4 stake was won by Highview Topaz for Ian Waterworth.
Following up on last week's victory, the 4-1 shot showed terrific early speed to overcome the trap five draw. A superb front running display to land the spoils, in 29.16. Three and a half lengths back to My Darling Girl in second.
LINEHAN TREBLE
Trainer Johnny Linehan enjoyed a fantastic treble on the night.
Droopys Beglin made it two wins from as many starts in race number 10, an A1. Barry O'Driscoll's dog looks a fantastic prospect and the 5-4 favourite impressed with devastating early speed to make all, in 28.55.
In the following race, Footfield Siren delivered one of his usual strong performances to win for Martin Hagan. The 6-4 second favourite was on terms at halfway and the powerful running winner pulled clear in the second half of the race to win easily, in 28.76. (A2).
The treble was complete after the success of Droopys Trouper in the closing race on the card, winning for the Courtmachove-Syndicate making it a great night for the Linehan team. A 5-2 chance, the early paced winner took control at the opening corner and the March youngster went on to win, in 28.93.
WIDE MARGIN WINNER
Sponsored by the Grassick family and in association with the Curraheen Park Supporters Club, the Tom O'Neill trained Ballyhooly Belle ran out a wide margin winner of the €500 A2 575.
Backed into 4-6 favourite, Belle didn't disappoint with a really strong all round winning performance. A 31.54 winning performance.
IN OTHER RACES
Gizmo Cash took the opening sprint for Jamie and Keely McGee. The 4-5 favourite was brave at the opening corners, driving to the front and then staying on strongly up the home straight to win, in 17.68.
In the sixth, an AA0, Trouble put on a brave display to win for trainer Kieran Lynch and owners the Memphis-Mafia-Syndicate. Not the quickest of starters, the 5-4 favourite recovered quickly to get into pole position and the winner battled gamely to fend off the strong challenge of Cheeky Chloe. Three quarters of a length the difference, in 28.90.