Chaucer earns tilt at Trophy
The son of Montjeu - a half-brother to Shamardal - is now unbeaten in two starts and proved the first leg of a double for Aidan and Joseph O’Brien completed by Eye Of The Storm to leave Joseph on the 112-winner mark for the season, just two short of Michael Kinane’s record, set in 1993.
Sent off at 4/7, Geoffrey Chaucer came from off the pace, showed signs of inexperience when in front and scored by a length and quarter to the satisfaction of his trainer, who explained: “I’m very happy with that. He didn’t learn much in front the first day and the plan was to drop him in and teach him today.
“He travelled and quickened well, but was still very green when he got there. Hopefully, he should have learned plenty today and, all being well, will go to Doncaster for the Racing Post Trophy (October 26).”
Geoffrey Chaucer is 16/1 generally (from 20) for the 2014 Investec Derby while O’Brien, who won’t finalise his Arc plans until late in the week, intends running Oklahoma City in the seven-furlong, £500,000 Tattersalls Millions Trophy in Newmarket next Saturday.
The one-eyed Eye Of The Storm is finished for the season, having registered his second listed-race success in the concluding Irish Field Loughbrown Stakes - his first crack at two miles.
The 8/13 favourite wore down gallant front-running Missunited inside the final furlong to score by three-quarters of a length and is considered a potential Cup horse by the Master of Ballydoyle.
The Sea The Stars team of John Oxx and owner Christopher Tsui was on the mark when My Titania provided the exciting first season sire with his first Group-race success in the Group 3 C L Weld Park Stakes.
Confidently ridden by Declan McDonogh, My Titania quickened past chief market rival Tarfasha effortlessly with a furlong and a half to race. Soon clear, she idled in front, but kept going well enough to beat the Johnny Murtagh-trained and ridden Chicago Girl by a half-length.
A delighted Oxx, who rates My Titania highly, stated: “She’s a bit like the father — she pulls up a bit when she hits the front and the second challenged a bit wide. But she travelled really well, she has plenty of speed and a good turn of foot and stays well. She’s just a very nice filly.”
Oxx confirmed that My Titania will not run again this season. “She needs fast ground and we’ve been lucky to get three nice runs into her for experience. All being well, we’ll enter her for the English Guineas and Oaks next spring.”
Both Boylesports and Paddy Power cut My Titania to 16/1 (from 20) for the 2014 Qipco 1,000 Guineas while Bopylesports make her a 20/1 shot for the Investec Oaks.
A sixteen lengths winner of his maiden in Listowel last week, the Paul Deegan-trained Shining Emerald followed-up when powering clear of odds-on favourite Guerre in the listed Anglesey Lodge Equine Hospital Blenheim Stakes over six furlongs.
Chris Hayes took his time on the son of Clodovil but, when produced to tackle the 8/11 favourite, the outcome was never in doubt as Shining Emerald forged clear to triumph by three lengths.
“He’s versatile trip-wise, so dropping back to six wasn’t a concern,” said Deegan. “He quickened well and put it to bed. He’s an exciting prospect for next year and will have one more run this season, in the Killavullan at Leopardstown. All going well, he’ll come back for one of the Guineas trials in the spring.”
In the earlier two-year-old fillies maiden, the Dermot Weld-trained Tested made an impressive debut, quickening well to beat Ballydoyle filly Sparrow and prompting her trainer to declare: “Unquestionably, she’s potentially a stakes filly. I doubt if she’ll run again this year but she’s a very nice prospect.”
Johnny Murtagh is harbouring plans for a trip to Dubai for Campanology following his victory in the Irish Times Handicap.
The in-form trainer-rider produced the 4/1 favourite to lead inside the final furlong before beating dead-heaters Line Drummer and Paene Magnus by a half length. “He used to be a bit of a worrier, but is beginning to relax and takes his racing well. He’s been running consistently and deserved a change of luck.”
Similar comments applied to the Tommy Stack-trained Nero Emperor which defied a low draw, under a superb ride by Wayne Lordan, to land the six-furlong Mongey Communications Joe McGrath Handicap.
