The first round of the RPGTV Oaks was a wholesale sorting of the wheat from the chaff and thankfully very few of the fancied runners failing to make it through.
Although only four of the twelve favourites were successful only two failed to qualify: Calzaghe Jan (6-4f) and Image Carranna (8-11f).
Reigning queen Domino Storm went quickest on the night with a 27.65 run, every winner broke 28.00. Ten of the 12 wide seeds made it through to the second round.
Draw for the second round is to be made on Friday lunchtime at the offices of GBGB.
Heat 1 went to Kevin Hutton’s Huarache Finn (Melodys Royal-Sive Dubh, Aug 13) running from T6. The 9-4 second favourite was led up by Mashmad Eyebrows (T3 3-1) but ran on well to beat Sporting Melody (T1 4-6f). Winning time 27.68 Dis: 3, 2
Heat 2 produced the first shock of the night when Shawfield based 10-1 shot Harper Belle (Blonde Snapper-Westmead Diva, Aug 14) led all the way from trap five. Favourite Faypoint Lisa (T1 6-4f) ran on for second with Droopys Jester (T6 11-4) in third. Winning time 27.78 Dis: 2 1/2, sh
Heat 3 went the way of the betting with the top three in the market all going through. The winner was Ballymac Shirley (Tyrur Big Mike-Ballymac Scarlet, Jul 13). Running from orange, the 6-4f passed early leader Nanny Brien (T2) and then faced a strong challenge from Swift Glow (T6 5-2) with Quivers Camps (T1 9-4) finishing third Winning time 27.89 Dis: sh, 1 3/4
Heat 4 featured a great clash between Carol Weatherall’s 2-1 chance Mustang Chick (Taylors Sky-Jodu Fame, Jun 13) running from blue and Airforce Duchess (T6 7-4f). They finished in that order with Glenhill Di (T5 12-1) finishing third. Winning time 27.81 Dis: 2 1/4, nk
Heat 5 Reigning Oaks champ Domino Storm (Makeshift-Swift Erin, Sep 12) made an impressive start to her final competition. Running from T2, the 8-11f clocked a 4.28 sectional on her way to an eight length victory over Steely Charm (T1 9-4) and Fairly Swift (T3 6-1). Winning time 27.65 Dis: 8, 1 3/4
Heat 6 saw the long anticipated reappearance of Towcester record holder Forest Twilight (Ace Hi Rumble-Forest May, Feb 13) who soon took command from T4. The 6-4f duly held off Leger finalist Huarache Madison (T1 7-4) and Droopys Two (T6 11-4) Winning time 27.76 Dis: 2, 2 1/2
Heat 7 saw the exit of favourite Calzaghe Jan (T1) in a race won by Barnagrane Glen (Oaks Road-Glenbowen Trix, Jan 14). The Chris Allsopp trained 6-1 chance ran from orange and beat Forest Vanessa (T6 7-1) and Bubbly Madeva (T4 2-1). Winning time 27.80 Dis: 3 3/4, nk
Heat 8 was dominated by the two market leaders though it was the 11-8 second favourite Lazy Leg (Ballymac Vic-Katies Quadrigo, Aug 14) who came out on top in the slowest time of the night. John McGee’s Irish entry beat Droopys Costa (T2 5-4f) with Efceelady (T5 20-1) finishing third. Winning time 27.98 Dis: hd, 1 3/4
Heat 9 saw the fastest sectional of the night, a blistering 4.18 from the 4-11f Ballymac Galtee (Ballymac Vic-Galtee Ellie, Apr 14). In an event that went by the formbook the red jacketed winner got home Droopys Bouchard (T3 9-2) and Droopys Ring (T2 6-1). Winning time 27.86 Dis: 2 1/4, 3
Heat 10 drew the biggest surprise of the night with the elimination of Image Carranna (T4) but a double from Carol Weatherall following Mustang Chick’s victory earlier. 11-8 chance Greenhill Gem (Central City-Ballyhill Beauty, Jun 13) led up from orange and was followed home by Mill Ontario (T2 10-1) and Corrin Honey (T6 16-1) Winning time 27.79 Dis: 3, 2
Heat 11 saw defeat for favourite Ballinakil Biddy (T2 4-6f) though it was purely on merit following a great run from Office Flirt (Kinloch Brae-Wendy La La, Jan 14). Kevin’s Hutton’s black (3-1) became the fifth orange jacketed winner in the joint second fastest time of the night, with victory over the favourite with Cream Ofthe Crop (T6 7-1) finishing third Winning time 27.66 Dis: 3, 2
Heat 12 Aghaburren Pippa (Droopys Scolari-Stunning Ginger, Mar 14) may have started at 9-2 though her 27.66 winning time more than merited a victory over Ballymac Deirdre (T1 4-7f). Cu Sith Alsh (T2 8-1) finished third Winning time 27.66 Dis: 1 3/4, 2
