O'Neill: Ground is vital for Equine

Eoghan O’Neill is to wait for suitable conditions before committing Vital Equine to his next race following his disappointing show in the Irish 2000 Guineas.

The Newark-based trainer blamed firm ground for the colt finishing sixth to Cockney Rebel at the Curragh.

Vital Equine should have been closer to Geoff Huffer’s dual Classic winner having finished second to him in the Newmarket equivalent.

“The ground was simply too quick for him. It was quick at Newmarket but it was rock hard at the Curragh,” said O’Neill.

“He wouldn’t let himself down on it. It was disappointing that we went all that way. We hoped it would rain and it didn’t, but we ran him.

“He’s come back sound and he’s absolutely fine, but he really needs good to soft ground to be at his best.

“I’ll probably wait until the autumn now when I’m guaranteed the ground for him.

“He’s a very smart horse – the best we’ve ever had – so I don’t want to mess him up on firm ground.”

Although O’Neill has not entered Vital Equine in the St James’s Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot, he would consider the seven-furlong Jersey Stakes should the heavens open next month.

“If there was a massive amount of rain coming up to the Royal meeting I’ll probably run him there but he’s got to be able to get his toe in,” O’Neill told Racing UK.

“There’s the QEII, the Prix du Moulin, the Foret and also the Prix Maurice de Gheest at Deauville where you traditionally get soft ground.

“There are plenty of options there but the key is the ground.”