Stack team to Say Oui to Debutante

Connections of Oui Say Oui are hoping she can take the step up in grade in her stride when lining up in Sunday’s Ballygallon Stud Debutante Stakes at the Curragh.

The daughter of Royal Applause was an impressive two-length winner on her debut at this venue, beating Dermot Weld’s Carefree Smile.

She is now set to step up to Group company for the first time with Fozzy Stack, son and assistant to trainer Tommy, saying: “She is in the Hurricane Run Stakes at Tipperary on Thursday, but we are leaning towards the Debutante at this stage.

“She did it well the last day and like all Curragh maidens, it looked like a hot little race.

“She is a very smart filly and if all goes well on Sunday, she will run in the Goffs Million.”

The John Oxx-trained Baliyana was sent off a short-priced favourite for the same Curragh maiden but could only manage third.

She is set to reoppose and Oxx believes the extra furlong will see her at least get closer to her conqueror.

“She ran a nice race on her debut over six furlongs and the trip would probably have been a bit short for her,” said Oxx.

“We were thinking she would run a good race but we weren’t surprised that she didn’t win over that trip and she was still green.

“I would hope that race has brought her on a bit and she should run better on Sunday.”

Both fillies are likely to face a stiff examination with Jim Bolger’s Albany Stakes heroine Cuis Ghaire still among the possibles.

Her stablemate Marina Of Venice is also entered and was impressive on her racecourse bow, while Aidan O’Brien is currently double-handed with Perfect Truth and Spira.