Art set to plunder prize
Feature event at headquarters is the Group 1 Independent Waterford Wedgwood Phoenix Stakes, which promises a cracking renewal.
Sole English challenger, Michael Bell’s Art Connoisseur, looks very much the one to beat. The son of Lucky Story has won his three races to date in great style and possesses a real turn of foot.
He scored at Leicester and Newmarket, prior to contesting the Group 2 Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot. Ridden out the back by Jamie Spencer, Art Connoisseur finished to real effect to sweep past literally the entire field and win going away by two and a quarter lengths.
The home team is strong, headed by David Wachman’s Bushranger and Aidan O’Brien Mastercraftsman. Bushranger ran a fine race at Royal Ascot, half a length second to Flashmans Papers in the Windsor Castle Stakes.
He ran with the choke out then, but was partnered with a lot more restraint when quickening from behind to easily beat hot-pot Westphalia in the Anglesey Stakes at the Curragh afterwards.
Mastercraftsman only scrambled to a short head success over Alhaban at the Curragh, but it would be wrong to underestimate the son of Danehill Dancer.
Andrew Oliver’s Connie Mac gets the nap to land the Listed Curragh Stakes. The daughter of Elusive City is quick and will take plenty of catching.
She created a big impression at the Curragh on her debut when four lengths runner-up behind the smart Shimah. It still seemed a shade ambitious, however, when she was sent to Ascot to contest the Group 2 Queen Mary Stakes.
Nothing could have been further from the truth, though, as Connie Mac ran a cracker to be beaten a neck and a head into third behind Langs Lash and subsequent winner, Shyrl.
John Mulhern’s Fleeting ssMoment should go close in the ten furlongs Waterford Crystal Handicap.
Beaten a head by Cat By The Tale on this track two weeks ago, the form was boosted when third placed Belle’s Ridge scored next time.
Elletelle hinted at a return to her best when third to Dimenticata (gave 5lbs) at Fairyhouse and might provide the answer to a wide-open looking Irish Stallion Farms’ EBF Sweet Mimosa Stakes.
