BAREFOOT ‘ON SONG’ IN CLONBRIEN TREATY LIMERICK OAKS

Peter Farrell

The semi finals of the €9,000 to the winner Clonbrien Treaty Limerick Oaks took centre stage on Saturday night and while Rinnwood Gem maintained her unbeaten run in the event, it was Barefoot On Song who showed her hand ahead of the valuable decider in one week's time.

On a night where there were some massive performances in the opening round of the Tom Real Memorial A2 525 from the likes of Fairy Footsteps and most notable, Bogger Pat, the standout on the card were the semi finals of the Oaks and Barefoot On Song produced an unrivaled clock as she marched in the decider as a big player.

Trained by Paul Hennessy for Bryan and Kathleen Murphy, Barefoot On Song contested the second semi final and although the field was depleted to just four runners, she turned it into a procession victory. Castleivy Ginge was understandably installed as the 4/5 favourite given prior displays in the stake, however, she was never at the races in terms of landing the spoils as ‘On Song’ comfortably led her inside rival from trap two. On the outside, Mohane Roxy had taken a flyer and narrowly headed Barefoot On Song on the run-up, however, this advantage was short-lived as Hennessy’s charge held the inside line to take charge passing the sprint boxes. In doing so, the daughter of Grangeview Ten and Jaytee Osprey, an 11/10 shot, powered to the front and she stayed on with real intent to cross the line four lengths clear of the staying-on Star Molly in second. The third and final qualifying spot was sealed by Castleivy Ginge as the clock stopped in a rapid, fastest of the night, 28.25 .10f.

GEM MAINTAINS UNBEATEN STATUS

Rinnwood Gem is in the midst of a purple patch at present and she duly made it three wins on the spin in the opening semi, albeit in less comfortable fashion than many expected.

Sent to traps as the 4/5 favourite after posting 28.25 and 28.22 in the two earlier rounds, Rinnwood Gem (Pestana - Rinnwood Pearl) was expected to make-all from a fine pitch in two, however, she looked in a spot of trouble early on as she was squeezed out of contention by Kilcolgan Whitney and Summerfield Air. The latter showed her trademark early speed to dictate proceedings and she led the recovering Rinnwood Gem into the back after Des Flaherty’s charge tracked nicely to get back into contention. Holding a two and a half length advantage entering the back, Summerfield Air held all the aces, however, ‘Gem’ quickly halved the deficit approaching the penultimate bend and the writing looked on the wall as the greyhounds closed in on the finishing line. Storming to the front entering the home straight, Rinnwood Gem looked home and hosed and she duly held off the customary power-packed finish of Kilcolgan Whitney in second. Just a neck separating the pair, it was a further half-length back to Daleroad Mya in third as the clock returned 28.51 .10f.

*****

BRILLIANT FROM BOGGER

Outside of the Oaks action, the opening round heats of the Tom Real Memorial A2 525 kicked-off and although Fairy Footsteps went narrowly quicker, it was Bogger Pat that was the real standout as the July puppy made it three wins from as many starts.

Bogger Pat has without doubt been one of the breakthrough stars of 2025 and he arrived in Limerick with a big reputation having raced to two fantastic victories around Kilkenny and Thurles. As a result, it wasn’t surprising to see the Kirby hopeful installed at odds of 4/5 and he justified his price tag in emphatic style as he won in comprehensive fashion. Owned by Liam Peacock, the son of Glengar Bale and Bogger Ophelia is a member of a really exciting litter and he stepped away lively from trap three to show big early speed and lead. In doing so, ‘Pat’ quickly doubled a two and half length advantage to five lengths midway down the back and he showed his fondness for the Limerick circuit in staying every yard to score impressively. Crossing the line five and a half lengths clear of Ballygibba Sam in second, the time was a scorching 28.43 .10f.

HEAT WATCH

As mentioned, Fairy Footsteps set the standard in round one as she returned to something of her very best form for Pat Guilfoyle, Willie Rigney and K. R Allsop. Fairy Footstepshas a career best 28.24 to her name but she was without a win since October coming into this downgraded contest. Installed at odds of 5/4, she made her intentions clear from the outset with a decent break from red to round the opener with a slender advantage over Blastoff Ricky in second. The latter kept the leader honest throughout without ever looking likely to reel in the daughter of Droopys Sydney - Enable and Guilfoyle’s charge duly crossed the line with one and a half lengths to spare. A fine display from this strapping lady, the time was a rapid 28.42 .10f.

Another not too far off in terms of the clock was Knockard Hero in heat three. Owned by Larry Enright, this fellow came close on his last start when finishing second, however, the 7/2 chance went one better this time around as he made every inch of the running. A son of Grangeview Ten and Hot Chocolate, ‘Hero’ broke well from his striped berth and he showed electric early speed to put this contest to bed. Holding a solid lead down the back, Unvetted did make a fist of it late on, however, the damage was done early on as Knockard Hero crossed the line one and a half lengths too strong. The time was a fast 28.46 .10f.

Syds Button (2/1) put an eight-race winless streak to bed in heat four as the David Flanagan-trained tracker showed fine resilience to stay on best of all. Leading from trap one, the son of Knocknaboul Syd and Conans Lass was overtaken by Radical Mystery at the second bend, however, ‘Button’ failed to throw in the towel as he came back for more to take charge once again between the bottom two bends. Showing excellent stamina thereafter, Syds Button crossed the line three and a half lengths clear of Killacolla Mike in second. The time was 28.58 .10f.

In heat five, Stormy Benny (Droopys Sydney - Stormy Blossom) made a winning start to life at Limerick as Dermot Fitzgerald’s charge arrived late to score. It was Cherrygrove Four that shot into the lead wearing the striped jacket and he looked certain to seal an eighth career win as a result. However, Stormy Benny (3/1) ate into the lead on the approach to the penultimate bend and after ‘Four’ drifted off the final turn, ‘Benny’ didn’t require a second invitation to score. Crossing the line with one length to spare, the time was 28.99 .10f.

The concluding heat of the night saw Dave Bourke seal victory with Grouchos King (Confident Rankin - Knockalton Emily). Jointly owned by Luke and Shane O’Connell, the 4/1 chance gave himself plenty to do early on as he sat in midfield, some five lengths adrift of early leader, Quality Jack. Making swift inroads down the back, Grouchos King upped the ante off the final bend and he arrived with a wet sail to seal victory, by a head, on the line. The time was 28.86 .10f.

*****

ADAMANT CONQUERS ALL

The Con & Annie Kirby Memorial isn’t too far away and the track hosted a couple of Trial Stakes on the night with Adamantconqueror showing very well in the A1.

Trained by John Rainsford for Connor Rainsford, the May 23’ pup was defending a debut victory and he was mighty impressive in seeing off some very promising rivals. A winner on debut in a brisk 28.43, ‘Conqueror’ was sent to traps as a 5/2 chance and he made his intentions clear with a slick exit from four to lead. Taking a slender advantage into the back from Brideside Bill, the son of Ballymac Cashout and Conquering Queen set a blistering gallop down the back and he maintained a two length lead over his rival on the approach to the business end of proceedings. Indeed, Rainsford charge, although challenged throughout, never looked like surrendering his advantage and he kept on brilliantly to cross the line one and a half lengths clear of Brideside Bill in second. The time was a super 28.40 .10f.

Prior to that, the A3 trial stake was on offer and you can put a line through the clock in this one as Beaming Joe (7/2)showed eye-catching speed to arrive late and seal victory. This July 23’ pup, owned locally by Corona Ryan, got into all sorts of traffic early on from four and showed serious battling qualities throughout the contest. Indeed, despite having a mountain of work on his plate at the halfway point, the son of Tullig Cyrname and Beaming Shiraz was relentless in getting up late to score by the narrowest of margins. Make no mistake, there is plenty to come from Beaming Joe, as he stopped the clock in 29.06 .10f.