Phariseek can bounce back to take Listed event

JIM BOLGER'S horses continue in terrific form and his Phariseek is a hopeful choice to provide the solution to the Listed King Charlemagne Platinum Stakes at Cork this afternoon.

Mon, 05 Aug, 2002 - 01:00

Pat Keane

She does, admittedly, have to leave a disappointing effort at Leopardstown last time behind her, but the way Bolger’s inmates are performing that is far from a remote possibility.

The selection was easy in the market on that occcasion and performed accordingly. She finished seventh of ten behind Dress To Thrill, dropping away tamely in the straight.

That was too bad to be true and Phariseek is surely better judged on her seasonal debut at the Curragh.

She produced a career-best performance then, two and a half lengths second behind smart English invader Duck Row, and a repeat of that will see her go close now.

Saranac Lake is probably the main danger. She beat Quarter Moon in a Group Three at the Curragh last season and things just haven’t worked out for her so far this campaign.

She tired, in very testing ground, first time up in the Irish 1,000 Guineas at the Curragh and may not have stayed ten furlongs when well beaten in a Grade One at Hollywood Park, Los Angeles, last time.

Aidan O’Brien’s Great Pyramid gets the vote in the opening Danehill Dancer Maiden.

Despite being a big drifter in the market, he ran with credit when beaten half a length into second spot by Jim Bolger’s well backed first-timer Danaskaya at Naas last month.

Great Pyramid had two of his rivals now, Foolish Thought and Agent Knuckles, well held in third and fifth respectively.

The moderate Good Vintage looks best in the 28-runner Oscar Maiden Hurdle. He won’t have to step up much on his half a length second to Bennie’s Pride at Ballinrobe to take a hand at the business end of this contest!

John Oxx’s once-raced Blatant is the bet of the day at Naas. He was one of many costly favourites to go under at Galway, runner-up to Ulysees, but will surely come on plenty for the experience.

CORK

Selections

2.15 Great Pyramid (nap)

2.45 Casa Que Canta

3.15 La Shalak

3.45 Phariseek

4.15 Town Gossip

4.45 Good Vintage

5.15 Alston Raindrops

Next Best

Foolish Thought

Kilbride King