Venus out of this world
The Ballydoyle handler had planned to save his progression charge for a trip to France next month but her current well-being prompted a change of plan and her rivals should probably be worried.
One of the lesser-heralded horses at the beginning of the season, she has quickly made up into his leading three-year-old filly and with a bit more luck in running, she could have won the Irish Oaks at the Curragh.
The fact that she came so close to winning a Classic on just the third run of her life surely bodes well for the future and she bounced out of that contest so well O’Brien sent her into battle just two weeks later for a Group Three at Cork. A long odds-on shot for the Give Thanks Stakes, she was forced to make her own running which probably did not suit and two furlongs out the challengers were ganging up.
However, once her stamina kicked in she powered clear to beat some solid rivals by upwards of three and a half lengths. One thing that will not bother her is fast ground as it was rattling quick for the Oaks and once O’Brien fillies get on a roll, it is worth sticking with them until they get beaten.
Brian Meehan’s J Wonder can make the leap out of nurseries into Pattern company by landing the Connolly’s Red Mills Lowther Stakes.
Handed a mark of 79 after striking on her debut she fulfilled her initial promise by winning relatively cosily earlier this month at Newmarket.
This Group Two is obviously a different kettle of fish but the form has worked out and she is in receipt of 3lb from the Duchess of Cambridge winner Lucky Kristale. A sister to Chachamaidee, she looks capable of mixing it in the highest level later in the year, with a Breeders’ Cup possibly on the cards for her American owner.
William Haggas can do little wrong at present and his lightly-raced filly Our Obsession can continue the good record of three-year-olds in the Galtres Stakes.
