Tuscan team to contest demotion

JOHN Murphy is to lodge an appeal against the decision of the Curragh stewards to demote Tuscan Evening from second to fourth place in the Boylesports Irish 1000 Guineas.

Tuscan Evening was one of the big outsiders for Sunday’s fillies’ Classic at 66-1 but belied her fancy odds, staying on strongly to get within a head of the winner Halfway To Heaven at the line.

Mad About You was just behind as Caribbean Sunset, the rival Tuscan Evening was deemed to have interfered with, was a close fourth.

The County Cork trainer considers the stewards’ conclusion to have been harsh and believes he has to contest the outcome.

“I thought it was grossly unfair and I think, while they did make contact, it definitely did not stop the other filly from her impulsion or the jockey from riding her,” he said.

“The filly has come out of the race well.

“The Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot is Plan A and we are going to enter her for the Jersey Stakes as well.”

Meanwhile Mad About You is likely to step up in trip following her gallant effort on Sunday.

The Dermot Weld trained filly, owned by Moyglare Stud, was promoted to second after originally passing the post in third behind Halfway To Heaven.

The Audi Pretty Polly Stakes over a mile and a quarter back at the Curragh on June 28 is a possibility, as is the Ribblesdale Stakes over a mile and a half at Royal Ascot a week earlier and maybe the Darley Irish Oaks on July 13.

“She ran a good race, but on that ground she just didn’t let herself down completely,” said the Moyglare’s racing manager Stan Cosgrove.

“She might not get the Ribblesdale trip, but her mother (Irresistible Jewel) won it (in 2002).

“It’s the same with the Irish Oaks trip as well, but we have a few things going for us.

“We won the Pretty Polly Stakes with Dance Design and she went on to win the Irish Oaks (1996).”