With a record number of sophomore pacers nominated to the 2015 Oakwood Stud 3YO Derby, Dublin’s Portmarnock Raceway will be the scene of a possible great match up come August 9 in Ireland.

Last year just 19 three-year-olds entered the Oakwood Stud mile race but what a turnaround a year makes as a record 38 have entered this year’s event. That is just over a 100% increase and a pretty amazing statistic for the stakes event. The list could still grow as horses can be supplemented up to August 1 to the race.

Featured will be the two top colts from 2014, Roy Sheedy, John and Vicky Gill’s Titanium, who swept last year’s Ladbroke’s Vincent Delaney Memorial versus Steven Gilvear’s Rewrite History, who closed out the 2014 season with three impressive victories.

Now these two titans of harness racing in Ireland/UK are set to finally get down and dirty with each other for the first time ever in the Oakwood Stud 3 Year Old Derby, the perfect appetiser to the weekend’s main course, the Ladbrokes Vincent Delaney Memorial Cup. which will be held at Dublin’s Portmarnock Raceway on August 8^th & 9^th.

One has had a carefully choreographed unbeaten run of 3 starts in 2014 whilst the other has danced every dance, racing 7 times, winning ugly if needed to, on his way to the very top.

Their contrasting campaigns have polarised opinions between pundits as to whom is the better horse and all the speculation and talking will finally stop when Portmarnock stages one almighty clash between the pair on August 9^th.

Bookie Dan Carlin in his future wagers on the Oakwood Stud Derby, has made Titanium the early favourite at 4/5 or Rewrite History, who is at 5/2.

“It was a dead heat right at the start,” Dan Carlin said. “But as the flow of wagers came in the boys are leaning towards Titanium over Rewrite History, but that can change and I am sure it will as they begin racing this Spring.”

It’s often said that sometimes the best place to hide is in plain sight and whilst Titanium and Rewrite History will be in the eye of the storm that weekend, there’s anyone of a dozen other rivals who can potentially prove to be the fly in the ointment and steal the crown in broad daylight.

Of these, top UK owners Shane and Claire Fletcher intend going mob-handed into the event staking a trio potentials in an all out effort to upstage the principal pair. Sportstrick is an exciting US import by sire of the moment Sportswriter and will be joined by £27,000 purchase Tommy Camden and homebred Lady Claires Best (Pro Bono Best)

Alexis Laidler, Britain’s top trainer, fields a brace of pacers in Articulation Hall and Mikey Camden whilst others that caught the eye in 2014 and may have matured significantly to be a serious player. Other game campaigners include Lyons Premier and ATM. With the prize almost certain to travel back across the water to the UK, the home team will valiantly attempt to repel all borders with Meadowbranch Ideal heading the defence augmented by last years champion filly, Carmel Camden, On Top and Fair Enough.

The “tale of the tape” for the event reveals some very interesting statistics. There are a total of 38 entries, with 24 of these by different sires and 17 staked by UK based trainers. For those who love their US and Canadian Standardbred breeding there are offspring by Sportswriter, Somebeachsomewhere, Western Ideal, Shark Gesture, Well Said, Jeremie’s Jet and Camluck staked to take their chance. 

Others that must be deemed serious contenders based on breeding, connections or indeed both include Somedatesomewhere, Frisco Frisk, Porterstown Courage and Streamside Art.

Will it be the more established pairing of Rewrite History and Titanium fighting out the finish of the 2015 renewal of the Oakwood Stud 3 Year Old Derby or will it be one of those flying below the radar having kept their gunpowder dry all last season?

Portmarnock Trotting Track outside of Dublin on August 8^th & 9^th will be the place to be and the real winners will be the fans as we are in for one hell of a showdown!   

By Thomas Bennett, for Harnesslink.com

Here are the early wagering morning line from bookie Dan Carlin in Belfast for those with confidence on who will win the Oakwood Cup come August 9. Those wishing to make a wager can contact Dan Carlin at 07808 395812 and all major credit and debit cards accepted

Afam AM 28

Amy Camden 25

Articulation Hall 16

ATM 8

Ayr Desire 16

Ayr Major 20

Carmel Camden 8

Cathal Donnellys 40

Chinatown Samuel 33

Coalford Affection 25

Earnies Dream 25

Fair Enough 28

Frisco Frisk 25

Greentree Paddiano 14

IB Mc Gregor 14

Its My Check 16

JMs Hallstar 20

John Barley 25

Lady Claires Best 10

Lyons Premiere 12

Lyons Starlight 20

Meadowbranch Ideal 12

Meadowbranch Milli 33

Mikey Camden 16

On Top Jeremys Jet 25

Porterstown Courage 7

Rewrite History 5/2 

Sarahs Gift 28

Saunders Jubilee 50

Showtime Big Cigar 50 14

Somedate Somewhere 7/2 

Sportstrick 6

Springhill Bucks 50

Streamside Art  16

Streamside Star 12

Titanium 4/5

Tommy Camden 12