SIMPLY STUNNING FROM SILVERHILL FREYA IN CORK OAKS DECIDER

Barry Drake

SILVERHILL FREYA (Ballymac Bolger-Silverhill Joyce) made it five wins from her last five outings with a stunning performance in the final of the €7,000 to the winner Apex Global Resources Ltd Cork Oaks Final at Curraheen Park on Saturday night.

It looked like a red-hot contest on paper, however, the Graham Holland-trained runner produced another top-class performance to win the all-important early lead and go on to win for owner Eugene Buckley. Flying around the opening corners in front, the 2-1 co-favorite was moving well down the back straight with both Unanimous Roxy and Grangeclare Lady also displaying buckets of speed.

The in-form winner is no stranger to big performances around Curraheen Park, a winner of the Galloping Kennels A3 Stake Final back in August of last year when posting 28.11, this time she clocked a fantastic 28.17. Strong throughout, the impressive winner got the better of Unanimous Roxy, who herself ran a fine race, by two and a half lengths. Glengar Martha was running on well in third, a length behind the runner-up.

Former Cork hurler Seanie McGrath makes the winning presentation to winning connections of Silverhill Freya after the star performer won the Apex Global Resources Ltd Cork Oaks on Saturday night.

OUTSTANDING CONTEST

Only four went to traps for the Ger Gubbins Construction Open 1025 but it produced an outstanding contest with all four holding chances late on, however, it was Garren Ivy (Black Parachute-Droopys Pen) who finished with a flourish to win for the Sarou Syndicate. Out the back for the first circuit, the talented stayer kept on best late on, showing plenty of staying power to win, in 58.87. The even-money winner got the better of Terrific Tonic, by three and a half lengths.

IN OTHER RACES

Earn Perks (Ballymac Best-Ardrahan Cabra) exploded from traps to make all the running in the Open Sprint. In control throughout, the 9-4 shot clocked 17.51, three lengths clear of Born Racer.

In the Mini Open 525, Mister Myles (Burgess Bucks-An Cailin Alainn) in the care of Ross Myles, continued his fine run of recent form when putting on another smashing run. The 4-1 shot came from off the pace to record another victory around Curraheen Park, in 28.80. A recent winner of the Cork Cup, this was another smart display at odds of 4-1, winning for the Clonmel Syndicate.. A length back to Drive On Beauty in second place.

In the closing race, Swords Don (Droopys Sydney-Droopys Alice), trained by Graham Holland for Barbara Lowndes, got the better of the well-fancied Seven Beach. The 2-1 second favourite produced a dream start to slip around in front. From there, the winner always looked in control. Seven Beach did try hard after an ordinary start, but Swords Don kept on well to score, by three-quartersof a length, in 28.55.

Of the other races, Ballyhimikin Leo (Good News-Good Poppy) was most impressive when winning for trainer Johnny Linehan and owners the B-S-S-Syndicate. The well-backed 4-6 favourite was in cruise control throughout, winning easily, in 17.64. On just his second career outing, he is one to watch going forward.