Gold Collar is classy Christmas present for Madam
TRAPRISE
The backend of this 2025 season has very much belonged to the kennels of Vincent McKenna in Borrisokane, and squeezing in one more significant sweepstake victory to celebrate over the festive period, Frenchfort Madam (Ballymac Bolger-Twentylittletoes) completed a classy campaign in the Gold Collar A1 550 with final victory at Shelbourne Park on Saturday.
Progressing for her opening round in the event, the South Bronx Syndicate’s August 2023 whelp registered semi-final victory in 30.26 (-20) with a quality early paced performance, earning a trap 2 draw for the €4000 decider.
With a near identical semi-final winning performance, the main opposition for early supremacy on Saturday was always going to be Razldazl Kamaria and that rival duly denied the McKenna darling the initial advantage when leading to the corner. Crucially securing second position behind that leader however, Frenchfort Madam raced in advanced of the Pat Guilfoyle trained Daleroad Mya to remain a stalking presence along the backstraight and within a most game pursuit, all but joined that pacesetter off the final turn. Seeing out every yard of the trip, Frenchfort Madam eased clear on the run to the line and ably containing the late attentions of Daleroad Mya, completed competition victory with one and a half lengths to spare in 30.39 (-30).
Magical brace seek Oaks glory
Staying with the Saturday action in the capital and Shelbourne’s perennial holiday major has been reduced to a final six with Pat Guilfoyle double handed for the 2025 Bernard Barry Christmas Oaks 525 Yard Stake Final this weekend.
First to advance from her semi-final when made to settle for a third runner-up placing in the €15,000 to the winner event was Magical On Fire (Ballymac Cashout-Burgess Sarah).
Having so greatly impressed when chasing home Ballydoyle Tina on the previous weekend, the Irish Laurels winner appeared perfectly pitched when defending the rails on the run to the corner from trap 1 but ceding a narrow advantage to Lone Calling entering the turn, was shuffled back to a three length third while turning. Another impressive backstraight gallop followed as Magical On Fire reduced arrears but she would ultimately cede victory to joint 2024 Irish Oaks winner A Lucky Julie when going down by four lengths in 28.76 (-30).
Joining her companion in the final having produced another wonderfully game qualifying effort in the second semi-final was Magical Hope (Dorotas Wildcat-Magical Poppy). Last on the run to the corner following a poor start from trap 6, the May 2023 help rounded all bar Rural Ana when going down by just a length and a half in 28.87 (-30).
Final Draw: 1) Aghadown Flight 2) Singalong Polly 3) Magical On Fire 4) Rural Ana 5) Magical Hope (m) 6) A Lucky Julie (w)
Magical On Fire can contest the early lead in this Saturday’s final and may only have Aghadown Flight to be concerned about on that score. Matching that rival to the top of the backstraight, the likely Guilfoyle favourite would hold every chance to convert a winning opportunity.
The obvious main threat is the resurgent A Lucky Julie who can finish every bit as well as Magical On Fire if close to halfway. However, Magical Hope can do herself and her kennelmate a big favour if breaking sharper this week, improving her win hopes while complicating a passage for their biggest danger. All considered, Magical On Fire can get the job done!
READY SHINES
Commencing the week’s winning exploits when scoring on the SIS fixture at Limerick on Thursday last, the Ready To Dream Syndicate’s Ready To Shine (Explosive Boy-Express Shine) took a big step back towards his best form in a snug fourth career victory.
Kept out of the winner’s circle since A4 victory back in June, the Aoife Loughnane handled September 2023 whelp was overdue this fourth career success and had hinted as much when a close-up second at A5 level last time.
Taking full advantage of a further ease in grade this time, the Roscrea charge began on terms from his suitable trap 6 draw and with the best early pace, scampered to a two-length lead at the corner. Three lengths to the good at the top of the backstraight, Ready To Shine remained in full command from that point and containing the late threat of a strong staying rival, registered 29.37 in a one and a half-length winning verdict. Back up to A4 grade next time, the suspicion is that he can cope given his renewed smart form at present.
Hardy semi score at Limerick
Staying at Limerick for the Saturday action, the 12-runner Happy New Year A2 525 Yard Stake saw the Monday Night Five Club’s Kevinsfort Hardy (Malachi-Kevinsfort Tiger) set the standard with an impressive passage throughout his semi-final victory.
Showing the best pace on the run to the corner from trap 5, the John Byrne trained April 2023 whelp rounded a pacesetting rival for full command of the race on the run to halfway. Fending off strong staying runners from that point, Kevinsfort Hardy defended a one length winning margin in 28.83.
Fastest of the semi-finals, the Knockalton charge will take all the beating in this coming Saturday’s final.
Also on Saturday, the Barking Buzz App ON2 525 at Thurles introduced a new recruit to the local winner’s circle as Paul Brussells & Tommy Fletcher’s Hediditagain (Orchestrate/Lillies Supreme) found a pleasing debut winning performance.
Breaking on terms from trap 6, the June 2024 whelp paced up well to the opening bend on the outside of the field before encountering significant bumping when markedly seeking a move inwards on the approach to the turn. Emerging in second place on the inside rail upon exiting the second bend, the Roscrea pup readily settled the race as a contest when once again free to gallop along the backstraight. Drawing clear to a commanding four and a half length victory in 30.11 while seeing out every yard on a rain-soaked circuit, Hediditagain left big scope for imminent improvement and should prove worth following over the coming weeks on the back of this highly promising maiden win.