Empress to build on promising first run
The daughter of Holy Roman Emperor was well touted prior to her debut and backed from 7-2 to 2-1 favourite. But, after travelling strongly for much of the six furlongs, she weakened in the closing stages to finish a neck and a length and a quarter third behind Nandiga and Delight.
The form is ordinary, but Royal Empress did have one of her main rivals now, Prince Alexander, a length and three parts behind in fourth and should prove hard to beat.
Wachman can also provide the answer to the Irish Stallion Farms’ EBF Maiden for colts and geldings with another who is once-raced, Probably.
This son of Danehill Dancer was third behind Lines Of Battle and Leitir Mor at the Curragh last month and, unless one of the newcomers is above average, has the potential to deliver.
Michael Halford has his team in good shape and Danzerini can prove another for him in the Kanyu Tree Playing Live 22nd June Maiden.
Unraced as a two-year-old, he made a decent start at Fairyhouse ten days ago when third behind heavily-backed favourite, Hi Emperor, and An Cat Dubh and this looks a weak affair.
Cork tomorrow is subject to a 1.00 inspection this afternoon and, hopefully, will get the green light. If it does then Dermot Weld’s Sapphire is strongly fancied to land the nap in the Group 3 Kerry Group Noblesse Stakes for fillies and mares.
She made lots of improvement as last season progressed, winning three of her six races, and revels in testing conditions.
Sapphire rounded off her campaign with a hugely impressive success in a Listed mile and a half event at the Curragh, powering clear in the straight to beat Kissable by four and three quarter lengths.
The Galtee Midsummer Sprint Stakes has three English challengers and is probably bound for export. The nod falls on one of them, the veteran Borderlescott, who indicated he’s no back number when fourth to Bated Breath in a Group 2 at Haydock last time.
Andrew Oliver’s Firethorn rates a good bet in the Golden Olive Maiden. He battled on doggedly when a neck and a head third to Coin Of Courage at Navan and had subsequent winner, One Fine Day, behind in fourth.
