Ballydoyle Honey produced an amazing performance to win in the opening round of the Gain Foods Christmas Oaks over 525 yards at Shelbourne on Saturday.
Graham Holland’s Sporting Press Oaks winner was stopped in her tracks at halfway and was a good six lengths in fourth behind leader Dromscarra Ruby at the third turn.
However she changed gear and caught the leader right on the line to score by a neck in 28.68sec.
Holland was also on the mark with Skywalker Pearl and Rural Maui in the second and third qualifiers.
Skywalker Pearl led from trap to line to beat Folleys View by two lengths in 28.46sec, while Rural Maui dominated throughout to beat Jeaneetedollemma by a length in 28.60sec.
Rachel Wheeler’s High St Jesse set the standard in the fifth eliminator when leading all the way to repel Ballymac Scala by four lengths in 28.42sec.
John Linehan’s Droopys Aurora was soon clear in the opening qualifier to register a two length victory over Frozen Melody in 28.84sec.
George Hamill’s Got The Edge finished strongly in the last eliminator to edge out Jumeirah Dancer by a head in 28.69sec.
Draw for next week’s second round:
1 Follys View
2 Jumeirah Dancer
3 Sidarian Nell
4 Priceless Lassie
5 Marys Note
6 Drumcrow Cheryl
1 Orange Theresa
2 High St Jesse
3 Jeanettedollemma
4 Skywalker Pearl
5 Ballydoyle Honey
6 Rural Maui
1 Moanteen Beauty
2 Ballymac Scala
3 Dromscarra Ruby
4 Yahoo Perlena
5 Droopys Aurora
6 Beaming Jan
1 Hovex Princess
2 Collarhouse Poppy
3 Got The Edge
4 Greenhill Pearl
5 Frozen Melody
6 Urban Gossip
