Siren’s Song primed for another big run
The Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby festival looks like giving us some outstanding racing and the Derby looks like being a real quality race.
I don’t necessarily subscribe to the view that Carlton House didn’t get the run of the race in Epsom – I think he was beaten by a better horse on the day – but I have a feeling that he might win this time.
The Curragh is a slightly stiffer 12 furlongs but the key factor is that it’s more of a galloping track and I think that might suit Carlton House. It would be amazing if Queen Elizabeth could win the Irish Derby at the first attempt and such a short time after her historic visit to Ireland.
There are plenty of dangers of course, with Aidan providing four of them, while Native Khan is sure to be a factor as well. But I fancy Carlton House.
Seeing as I trained the dam, I will be shouting on last year’s dual Oaks winner Snow Fairy in the Pretty Polly Stakes. With a Breeders’ Cup winner (Midday) and a I000 Guineas winner (Misty For Me) in opposition, it’s being billed as a potential race of the year and it might well turn out that way.
I don’t think the heavy rain that fell last evening was forecast and I hope it stays away over the weekend but whatever happens, the quality of the racing is enough to guarantee a big crowd.
Bob Le Beau got off the mark at listed level when winning the Martin Molony Stakes at Limerick last Saturday. I was a bit worried by the rain and the ground was softer than he would have liked. But he did as much as he ever does, and though he always finds for pressure, once he gets in front he pricks his ears. So he was good value for that length in hand on Unity.
The race was over 1m 3f so it wasn’t enough for him to qualify for the Melbourne Cup but going by that, we’ll hopefully win the mile and a half listed race we need.
It was great to win the Ulster Derby for a second time when Banksters Bonus prevailed on Sunday and it’s always nice to win a Derby… hopefully I’ll win a couple more at the Curragh and Epsom in the future! It was his first time over a mile and a half and he got it really well so it opens up a few more possibilities. He’ll run in a listed race next.
Siren’s Song takes in the Tattersalls Millions 3-Y-O Cup at Newmarket today. It looks like it’s similar to a good listed race. There are some good, improving horses in the contest and Richard Hannon has a couple in particular that must be respected.
Siren’s Song has only had the three runs and if she reproduces what she did at Navan, or even at Epsom in the Oaks, she would have a great chance. She came out of Epsom very well and I’ve been happy with what she’s done since then. Everything is more or less right for her. Gerard Mosse rides as Fran is committed to the Curragh and I’m very pleased to have gotten a pilot of that quality for the engagement.
Back at home, we have Newbury Hall making his racecourse debut in the opener. He’s a nice, big colt and will definitely improve for the run. Princess Sinead runs in the second race. She should win after coming second to horses that both ran in the Chesham Stakes at Royal Ascot. Maybe won and Teolane was fourth after losing her chance at the break and you’d like to think that form will be good enough.
I’m worried about the rain for Greenbelt Star in the two-mile handicap while Forever Glory is a nice filly having her first run for me in the maiden after having one run as a two-year-old last October. She’s done a good bit of growing and I’m happy enough with her. Like Newbury Hall, she’ll improve for this.
Tomorrow, we have Elusive Lashes and an American-bred first-time out filly Gush both running in the first race. Unfortunately, Elusive Lashes decided to sit in the stalls the last day. She’d never done it before but maybe the first day at the races got to her a little. We’ve schooled her at the stalls three times this week and she should be fine tomorrow.
Gimli’s Rock and Back Burner run in the two premier handicaps. Anyone that follows Gimli’s Rock knows they will get value for money from him whether it’s over hurdles or on the flat. He always does his best.
Back Burner is coming off a good win in Cork. He got plenty off the handicapper for that but he seems to be in good form. I like him. He’s a nice horse and along with Princess Sinead and Siren’s Song, looks to be amongst my best chances of making the winner’s enclosure this weekend.
