Goldana and Tango can deliver for in-form Joseph O’Brien
Goldana and Dylan Browne McMonagle (far) win the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Heritage Stakes (Listed) at Leopardstown from Power Under Me (near) in April. Picture: Healy Racing
Goldana and Dancing Tango might deliver a listed race double for in-form Joseph O’Brien in Gowran Park.
O’Brien has struck in recent days with a couple of French imports, five-year-old mares Belhaven and Gregarina, on their respective stables debuts.
And, already successful at Group 3 and listed level since arriving at Carriganóg from Germany, Goldana will be expected to defy top-weight in the Victor McCalmont Memorial Stakes.
This mare, who swerved the Group 2 ‘Athasi’ at the Curragh on Monday, won the ‘Park Express’ on her 2023 debut and, third to Brilliant in that event in March, she hit the board when digging deep to beat Power Under Me in the ‘Heritage’ at Leopardstown last time.
It’s a help that Goldana is proven in heavy ground and, with a fitness edge over some of her rivals, notably Jessica Harrington’s pair Snowcapped and Villanova Queen, should prove a tough nut to crack.
The Aidan O’Brien-trained maiden Flight Of Fancy, the only three-year-old in the field, is worthy of consideration too.
In the earlier Vintage Tipple Stakes, the O’Brien-trained Dancing Tango and Dick Donohoe’s ‘Finale’ winner Vischio, must shoulder penalties.
And preference is for Dancing Tango, winner of a Fairyhouse handicap last summer before rounding off her campaign with victory in the listed ‘Bluebell’ in Naas.
With Dylan Browne McMonagle on duty in Chester, Declan McDonogh will partner both O’Brien mares, with obvious prospects.
Dangers to Dancing Tango included her stable- companion Perfect Portrait, although held on ‘Bluebell’ form. Johnny Murtagh’s Esquiline, sixth in the ‘Noblesse’ in Cork last time and the Paddy Twomey-trained Countess Of Tyrone, not suited by the sedate pace when ninth in that Cork race and expected to take a significant step forward here.
Earlier, the Twomey-trained Cill Mocheallog, a pleasing third to Sakti on his debut in Dundalk, will be a strong fancy for the Societies Welcome At Gowran Park Maiden.
But, over seven furlongs, the Phoenix Of Spain might struggle from stall 17.
And preference is for Jessica Harrington’s runner Subjugate, better drawn in stall six and coming into the race on the back of a very pleasing debut at the Curragh, when filling fifth position behind Procrastinate and subsequent winner Marty The Party (won off 85 in Naas and now rated 94).
5.20: Subjugate
5.50: Chicago Fireball (nb)
6.20: Dancing Tango
6.50: Goldana (Nap)
7.20: Theisoldheartofmine
7.50: Dolce Far Niente
8.20: Play It Again Zaam
5.20: Coll Mocheallog
5.50: No Knee Never
6.20: Countess Of Tyrone
6.50: Snowcapped
7.20: Hanalia
7.50: Specialk Angel
8.20: Barnhill Rose
