Defeat for Ballydoyle Honey in Saturday’s Sporting Press Oaks Final would be one of the biggest shocks the sport has ever seen.

Graham Holland’s bitch is set to go off around 1-7 to win Ireland’s bitches classic over 525 yards at Shelbourne Park, which she has dominated throughout.

She also bids to become the first Puppy Oaks / Oaks winner since Droopys Twirl back in 2011.

The Brett Lee bitch is unbeaten in the event and has won her qualifying races by an aggregate of 29 lengths and is also the only bitch to have broken 28 seconds at the track.

She has her favourite trap one in the decider after winning last week from an unsuitable trap six in 28.18sec, which was over half a second faster than the other qualifier.

Jimmy Buckley’s Jumeirah Dancer, who was beaten by Ballydoyle Honey last week after leading early is the second favourite.

Buckley’s dad Mike won this last year with Velvet All Jam and the daughter of Kinloch Brae has won four of her last eight races in the Puppy Oaks and Irish Oaks although was beaten nine lengths by Ballydoyle Honey last week and now faces a tougher middle draw.

Honey’s kennelmate and litter sister Hovex Princess separated the pair last week beaten eight lengths and this railer has to race from an awkward trap five.

Gerard Barber’s Ravenswood Emily landed the other semi-final in 28.81sec but has a mountain to climb.

Thomas Coleman’s Piercestown Lucy clocked the fastest time of the year over 550 yards at Enniscorthy prior to the Oaks but has yet to win in the event and will do well to make the frame.

Awaywitdepixies is the rank outsider. Her last victory came in November, when scoring in 28.55sec over the course and distance.

 

 

1 Ballydoyle Honey 1-7

2 Ravenswood Emily 25

3 Piercestown Lucy 20

4 Jumeirah Dancer 10

5 Hovex Princess 12

6 Awaywitdepixies 33

There is a real classy line-up in the Gain Dog Foods Open 600, the semi-finals of which take place on the undercard.

The opening semi-final looks an absolute cracker. Cable Bay who won the €80,000 Kirby Memorial at Limerick is the sole seeded runner and is given a narrow vote.

29.36sec 550 yard winner and early English Derby elimination Ballymac Matt has chances if pinching an early lead.

Tyrur Hagler went quickest in last week’s heats could be a surprise package, while Cesarewitch runner-up Droopys Bomber, last year’s winner Greenwell Hulk, Irish Derby finalist Vulturi are respected.

Final Hawk can follow up his heat performance with victory in the other eliminator.

Owen McKenna’s runner made all to hold Cable Bay in 32.57sec from the same trap one and can get first run on Deanridge Pennys and last year’s Easter Cup winner Skywalker Farloe.

 

1 Vulturi 12

2 Droopys Bomber 16

3 Greenwell Hulk 7

4 Tyrur Hagler 20

5 Ballymac Matt 3

6 Cable Bay 7-2

 

1 Final Hawk 6

2 Native Hut 40

3 Deanridge Pennys 12

4 Leave At Dawn 12

5 Musical Dawn 33

6 Skywalker Farloe 12