MANDOLIN HITS ALL THE RIGHT NOTES IN OAKS OPENER AT GALWAY

Peter Farrell

The opening round heats of the Fonez Galway Oaks got underway at Galway Greyhound Stadium on Friday night and patrons were treated to four brilliant heats, the pick of those a stunning performances from the Robert Gleeson-trained Droopys Mandolin

Jointly owned by Alan Dobbs and Patrick Dobbs, Droopys Mandolin was making her return to Irish soil after making the final of the English Oaks in Perry Barr and she justified her 4/7 starting price with a quite stunning display of power. Trapping well from four, the daughter of Laughil Blake and Droopys Curio showed sizzling early gears to take charge at the opener and quite frankly, it was lights out thereafter. Setting an incredible gallop down the back, Gleeson’s tracker drew clear of her rivals as she stayed on stoutly to cross the line with six and a half lengths in hand. Dromana Jen next best in second, the time was an exceptional 28.49 .10s as Burgess Anne claimed the final qualifying position in third.

BUCKLEY DOUBLE

Elsewhere in the heats, Pat Buckley was responsible for two of the heat winners, the first of those with Singalong Dolly, who followed up her Puppy Oaks victory last time out.

Owned by Gilbert Anderson, Singalong Dolly came into the event in fine form, however, was forced to settle for second place early on as recent Laurels finalist, Role Model, broke best of all from trap six. Despite the latter rounding the opener in command, Singalong Dolly had too much for her rival midway down the back as the daughter of Droopys Sydney began to turn the screw. Maintaining a powerful gallop once hitting the front, ‘Dolly’ powered across the line with Sawdust Storm coming through well to finish just two and a half lengths adrift. The time was 28.71 .10s as Role Model secured the final qualifying position back in third.

The double was completed for Pat Buckley in the final heat of the night as Glengar Martha saw off her litter sister, Glengar Jasmine in good style.

Last seen at Lifford just five days’ prior, Glengar Martha showed no ill-effects from her travels as she dominated heat four from the halfway mark. Owned by William Wood, ‘Martha’ broke well wearing the stripes but was led by Glengar Jasmine in the opening exchanges as she paced up well from two. However, showing blistering speed down the back, the daughter of Droopys Sydney and Glengarbadminton stormed to the front and ‘Martha’ was in no mood for hanging around thereafter. Staying on strongly in the closing stages of the event, Glengar Martha crossed the line around two lengths clear of the equally impressive, Glengar Jasmine, in second. The time was 28.63 .10s as Bredas Wood, the 4/5 favourite, could only manage third.

HAT-TRICK FOR PIER

Newport Pier is riding the crest of a wave lately after landing a valuable 600-yard stake at Limerick and she completed a hat-trick of victories in heat three.

Sent off as a 4/1 shot, Newport Pier came away racing from a plumb draw in one and nestled in behind the fast-starting Stonepark Molly in six. The latter set a fine gallop heading into the back, however, there was a certain inevitability about the result given that Newport Pier is more than equipped over the extended distances. Hitting top gear off the final turn, the daughter of Droopys Sydney and Cantcallherthat, owned by the Mullins-Curtin-Syndicate, powered past Stonepark Molly to win comfortably by two and a half lengths. The time was 28.66 .10s as Millroad Girl secured third.