Kamala unbeaten into Irish Oaks final after finding a way again

BALLYMAC KAMALA will boast the only unbeaten record in the event going into Saturday's €25,000 Sporting Press Irish Oaks final over 525 yards at Shelbourne Park after again finding a way to overcome adversity.

Liam Dowling's bitch was 8/11F for the opening semi but did not break particularly well from one whereas Francie Murray's Clan Sapphire took a flier from trap four.

Ballymac Kamala paced up well and barged round in second then set off after the leader although good progress into the third bend was momentarily halted when she was forced to bide her time at three-quarters.

However, Ballymac Kamala was not to be denied and, switching to the outside, one final charge saw her collar Clan Sapphire close home for a neck victory in 28.20sec with Ballymac Gwennie giving Dowling a second qualifier as she just outstayed Droopys Bundle for third.

The second semi was also eventful although not for the Peter Cronin-trained winner Rapido Ivy who was in front from an early stage.

However, the hard luck story of the contest was undoubtedly Silent Noelle, who was close up when finding early back straight trouble then motored to three-quarters where she challenged but was forced to check before dropping away.

That allowed Rapido Ivy to come home three-parts of a length ahead of Gerry Merriman's strong-running Highview Carol in 28.28sec with Paul Hennessy's Lennies Ash claiming third just minutes after the handler had landed the English Derby at Towcester with Lennies Eddie.

Earlier, just two spots separated the semi-final winners in the Shelbourne Summer Cup with Keiran Lynch's Shanahee Boomer taking the opener in 28.10sec then Robert Gleeson's Carrick Becks the second in 28.12sec.

Saturday's Sporting Press Online Edition Irish Oaks final