Five Things To Look Out For At The Curragh On Saturday

[Wandering Eyes]

Irish Oaks Weekend kicks off at the Curragh on Saturday where Epsom heroine Minnie Hauk appears to have been handed a straightforward task in the feature contest at 3.40pm. There is an interesting undercard at Irish racing's HQ and here are five things to look out for. 

Cult Hero Heads The Weights In The Scurry

Big Gossey (Gutaifan) has developed something of a cult following in recent times, which was evidenced by the reception he received when out-battling Camille Pisaaro to land a 10th career success in the Gladness Stakes at the Curragh earlier this year.

A diminutive grey, he gives credence to the saying, 'it's not about the size of the dog in the fight, but what's important is the size of the fight in the dog.' Big Gossey is one of Irish racing's over-achievers and his heart-on-the-sleeve approach to his races is what endears him to the public.

Any rain would aid his chances of landing the €100,000 Scurry Handicap off top weight for trainer Charles O'Brien and jockey Robert Whearty. If he manages to be successful, there will be unrivalled scenes in the Curragh parade ring. 

Dylan Browne McMonagle To Stake Claim For Jockeys' Title?

The appointment of Colin Keane as Juddmonte's number one rider has naturally caused something of a shake-up in the Irish weighroom with the reigning champion being required across the water in Britain and in some cases France more regularly than before.

Keane is still the bookies' favourite at 5-4 to retain his title and Billy Lee, who trails the six-time champion by nine winners, was dealt a hammer blow to his bid for a breakthrough championship when breaking his collarbone in a spill at Limerick last Saturday.

Chris Hayes has since closed the gap and sits second on 42 winners, which is eight behind Keane, but it is Dylan Browne-McMonagle who could be overlooked in what is developing into a four-horse race for the jockeys' championship in Ireland.

Not only does Browne McMonagle have the firepower of Joseph O'Brien's stable behind him but, crucially, he has become an important cog in Aidan O'Brien's wheel in recent times, often riding third or fourth strings in big races.

One could envisage a scenario developing whereby if Browne McMonagle was in contention for a championship, such support from Ballydoyle could be heightened towards the end of the season. He could be a formidable challenger were that to happen. 

As it stands, the Donegal native trails Keane by 10 winners and has a number of interesting rides on Oaks Weekend. 

Odds of 5-2 about him clinching what could develop into a fascinating jockeys' championship does not look a bad bet at all. 

O'Brien To Dominate The Feature Races

The Group 2 Railways Stakes has only managed to attract four runners, which is most disappointing and fits in with the theme of the weekend given Oaks heroine Minnie Hauk (Frankel) does not appear to have been faced with any meaningful opposition in the Irish equivalent.

True Love (No Nay Never) can be expected to play her part in what is likely to be another big weekend for Ballydoyle by beating the colts in the Railway Stakes. She looked smart when breaking her maiden in the Queen Mary at Royal Ascot and can become the first filly to win this race since Jim Bolger's Eva Luna back in 1994. 

Slattery Bidding To Maintain Power-Packed Run Of Form

We may be only halfway through the season but Andy Slattery is bearing down on his best ever tally of winners and Powerful Nation (Sioux Nation), a horse the trainer described as one of the best he has ever had through his hands, has an opportunity to shine in the Group 2 Sapphire Stud Stakes.

Slattery has recorded 20 winners this season – which is just 10 less than the career-high 30 wins that was achieved last year – and is holding his own in ninth spot in the domestic trainers' standings.

Powerful Nation has contributed to what is becoming a memorable year for the stable when he landed the Listed Midsummer Sprint at Cork and the style in which that success was achieved would suggest the three-year-old can make the jump into Group company.

The Sapphire Stakes is an up-to-scratch renewal, with British raiders Rumstar and Mgheera of particular interest, but Powerful Nation is a colt on the up and can harden his reputation as a sprinter going places for an in-form outfit. 

O'Sullivan Supplies Much-Needed Colour In The Curragh Cup

Given Aidan O'Brien has won the Group 2 Curragh Cup with classy stayers like Flag Of Honour, Septimus, Ernest Hemmingway and more, all eyes will presumably be on Ryan Moore's mount Shackleton (Camelot),

However, the Ross O'Sullivan-trained Drawn To Dream provides some much-needed intrigue to the weekend in that 1m6f contest.

For starters, the daughter of German sire Iquitos was sourced by Ringfort Stud boss Derek Veitch for just 60,000gns at the Tattersalls December Mares Sale last year. She has already gone some way in repaying that investment when gaining valuable black-type when chasing home Goodie Two Shoes at odds of 50-1 in a Group 3 at Fairyhouse earlier this month.

Punters won't expect such fanciful odds about the grey on Saturday and she provides some colour to a race that also features dual Group 1 winner Al Riffa. 

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