FONEZ GALWAY OAKS REACHES SEMI FINAL STAGES AT GALWAY

Peter Farrell

Murt Leahy landed the 2022 Galway Oaks with the great Raha Mofo and the Kilkenny trainer has an extremely strong hand in the renewal as he is represented by the top three in the outright market ahead of tonight’s semi finals.

Accounting from three of the four opening round heats last weekend, Leahy will no doubt be hopeful of reclaiming his Oaks crown and although posting the slowest time of his three heat winner’s last weekend, Julies Gem could be his ace card. The Kilkenny Derby winner has a massive engine and she recovered in tremendous fashion last time out to ride an early bump, before flying home to claim a half length success. Indeed, the September daughter of King Sheeran has shown her capabilities in the past, most notably at Kilkenny when posting a phenomenal 28.59 .10s, and she should benefit from a more suitable draw in trap two given the way she railed in the opening round. A big run can be expected of Julies Gem and if getting loose early on, all eyes will be on the clock. Of her rivals, the Damian McGinn-trained Westway Rossa looks open to improvement. Posting a smart 28.90 when finishing second last time out, she is still very inexperienced and should take several steps forward from her last outing. Also selected to make the frame Headinthewindow in four. Another trained by Murt Leahy, she has some stunning form throughout her career and was another to run a fine race in defeat last time out. The remaining runners of Location, Brickhill Fayla and Airfield Katie all have claims of making the valuable decider next weekend, however, ‘Katie’ in particular has a brilliant draw in six and wouldn’t need to improve too much on last week’s performance to stake a claim for qualification. Verdict - 2/1/4

ANNIE CAN SEE OFF KAMARI

The second semi final is certainly a stronger line-up on paper but Annie On Faya has plenty in hand based on last week’s performance and she can make it back-to-back wins.

Again, Murt Leahy will account for the top two in the market in this contest with Annie On Faya and Droopys Kamari, however, ‘Annie’ produced that stunning 28.72 .10s, which was some thirty spots faster than her closest heat winner, Drombeg Pearl. The daughter of Superior Panama has terrific all-round pace and her trap draw in red tonight can see her run out a trap-to-line winner for the second week running. That said, she can ill-afford to slip-up with the likes of Drombeg Pearl and Droopys Kamari amongst her rivals. Her kennel companion, owned by Patrick Nagle is chasing a fourth straight victory when she lines out from trap four and she holds strong claims given her powerful engine from the halfway mark. She will need to keep tabs on her rivals early on, however, if within a couple of lengths entering the bottom two bends, she will be a threat. Drombeg Pearl, meanwhile, will bid to build on a smart 29.03 .10s opening round success. The daughter of Grangeview Ten is represented by local owner Evan McAuliffe and has brilliant all-round speed, something she will need to call upon in this red-hot contest. Drawn in three, she is capable of an electric start, however, she has shown this particular ability in the past and is a serious player to make the final. Of the others, Nowweretalkin was an eye-catcher in behind last weekend and connections will be hopeful of making the first three, while Omey Mist and Lady Aston are certainly not ‘also-rans’ and could cause an upset if producing their best form. Verdict - 1/4/6

PAUL MCKENNA MEMORIAL DECIDER

There is a brilliant supporting card on offer aside from the semi finals of the Oaks and the €1,500 to the winner Paul McKenna Memorial 525 is another highlight.

Kindly sponsored by Vincent McKenna, he will be represented by no fewer than fifty percent of the field in the decider and although Hinomite was handed a shock defeat last time out, he remains a leading player. Beaten at odds of 4/6, the son of Ballymac Best had no answer to Burnpark Taylor on that occasion, however, his 29.35 .10s effort in the opening round still warrants big respect. The same can also be said of Lisk Rapid. Another who was beaten at short-odds in the semis, the son of Broadstrand Bono clocked 29.45 .10s in the opening round and that still ranks the 2023 whelp as a main player later tonight. Drawn in four, he is least experienced in the line-up and gets the vote to prevail with big improvement likely. The remaining runner for McKenna is Lallys Legacy in trap two. Without a win in the stake, it would be a surprise if this tracker emerged victorious in the decider and there is no doubt that his kennel companions offer more based on recent form. In terms of the clock, Rylane Master is the one they all have to beat for Donal Duggan. Drawn perfectly in one, he posted a rapid 29.18 in the semis and he took a flier on that occasion as evident from his 3.29 sectional. A repeat will be necessary and whether the son of Burgess Bucks can do so is up in the air. Of the remaining finalists, Burnpark Taylor isn’t without a life in trap five, while Killanin Bono has shown well in this stake and is another that has no forlorn hope. Verdict - Lisk Rapid

STEPHEN MOLLOY SEMIS

Also down for decision on the night are the semi finals of the Stephen Molloy Memorial and Rinnwood Gem looks the one to beat in the opening semi.

Trained by Des Flaherty, Rinnwood Gem was a runaway winner of her opening round heat and stopped the clock in 28.88 .10s in the process. As a result, the daughter of Pestana has plenty in hand over her rivals and looks the part from her trap four berth. Her main rival looks to be the Fraser Black-trained Droopys Sophia, who finished with a wet sail to just fail to catch Drombeg Apollo last time out, while ‘Apollo’ also contests this semi and is well-drawn in trap two to go well for Evan McAuliffe.

In the second semi, Springwood Eddy is the form hound in the race having won on his last three starts and should make another bold bid for Gerard O’Dowd.

A really versatile type, Springwood Eddy is a powerful runner from the halfway mark and has the draw in six to go close. A 29.14 .10s winner last time out, he has dipped well under 29-seconds in the past and shouldn’t be too far away in this contest. Of his main rivals, Glynscross Ted showed fine early dash last time out, however, had no answer to ‘Eddy’ in the closing stages, while Zenith Beauty is represented by Fraser Black and that alone warrants respect despite an underwhelming performance last time out.