Fr Jack has a star performer for Oaks shot

The field for next Saturday’s final of the Sporting Press Oaks is a quality one (the trap draw will make it more interesting) but Fr Jack Meade’s Dalcash Dvinsky must stand a great chance of bringing the Oaks title back to Clare for the first time since 1984.
All six owners can make good cases for their chances but the unbeaten Dalcash Dvinsky and Shelbourne Dawn must be respected after their impressive semi-finals successes  last Saturday night. Both won in style and will carry a lot of support into the final.
Dalcash Dvinsky is unbeaten in her last six outings including the final of the Olympic Bee Puppy Oaks and the Press Oaks. Last Saturday night she was the 7/4 favourite to win the first semi-final heat from trap two.
There was an even break and the West Clare-owned daughter of Ace Hi Rumble-Dalcashy Diva appeared as she might be squeezed to the turn. However, she forced her way through to lead Cartiers Dazzle at the turn.
At third bend Cartiers Dazzle put in a strong challenge but Dalcash was up to it and she made her way to the front again. Clearview Kelly looked a threat when she moved into third place but there was to be no denying of the ever-improving Olympic Bee Puppy champion, who powered through for a great 28.58 win, one length in front of the Enniscorthy-owned Clearview Kelly. Three parts of a length back for third spot was the Dolores Ruth-trained Cartiers Dazzle.
Shelbourne Dawn, trained by Brian King for Nick Budmir and English soccer manager Harry Redknapp of Tottenham Hotspur, won the second semi-final in a fractionally faster time of 28.56. Freedon Seacrest (trap one) was absent from the heat, which saw Shelbourne Dawn lead at the first, increase her advantage down the back straight and eventually win by four lengths from defending champion Skywalker Queen, who showed great pace from the halfway mark to capture the runner-up spot. Two lengths adrift for third place was the Reggie Roberts-trained Casual Steps.
Getting better with each outing, Dalcash Dvinsky must stand a great chance of winning the Oaks, especially after holding Cartiers Dazzle and Clearview Kelly at bay for her semi-final triumph last Saturday night. No doubt Fr Jack Meade of Miltown Malbay and Rockwell College will have his star performer in great shape for the final.
He hopes to be the first Clare owner since 1984 to bring the Oaks title to the Banner. Twenty-six years ago it was won by Burnpark Sally, trained by the late Michael Browne, Leitrim, Kilmihil for his wife, Mary Browne.
Trap draw for the final is 1, Casual Steps; 2 Cartiers Dazzle; 3 Shelbourne Dawn; 4 Dalcash Dvinsky; 5 Clearview Kelly; 6 Skywalker Queen (w).

Limerick Winner
First-round heats of the Dave Cremin Engineering A5 event over 525 yards were decided in Limerick last Thursday. Among the winners was Mullagh owner John O’Kelly, whose Sharam Go obliged from trap three in heat three. The daughter of Droopys Kewell-Riverside Ash led all the way to win the race by six lengths in 29.18 from the Rathkeale-owned Essential Boy. In third place was reserve runner Radisson Queen, trained by Joe Collins for the Shanakyle Syndicate, Parteen.
Placed in other races were Steragel Fawn (Brendan Carroll, Newmarket-on-Fergus; Matts Jet (Joe Collins for Shanakyle syndicate); Scariff Sublime (Eileen Gallery, Shannon); Clonreddan Sam (Tom Keane, Cooraclare) and Coolready Shaun (Billy Murphy, O’Briensbridge).
Minor places were filled by Cragaknock Tina( John O’Kelly) and Clonreddan Tara (Tom Keane) at the same venue on Saturday night.