Guineas Winners Target Irish Counterparts

[Wandering Eyes]

Aidan O’Brien is targeting Guineas doubles for both Magna Grecia (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) and Hermosa (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) following their victories at Newmarket over the weekend. Magna Grecia ran out an impressive winner of the G1 QIPCO 2000 Guineas on Saturday–providing his trainer with a 10th victory in the colts’ Classic. The following afternoon Hermosa played a starring role in the G1 QIPCO 1000 Guineas and while O’Brien initially suggested the G1 Investec Oaks at Epsom could be on her agenda, he is now leaning towards sticking at a mile in the Irish 1000 Guineas later this month.

Speaking at The Curragh on Monday, O’Brien said, “I was delighted with Magna Grecia and the plan is to come back here [for the Irish 2000 Guineas]. I initially thought about the Oaks for Hermosa, but it’s possible that she could come back here too for the Irish 1000 Guineas.”

A trip to Royal Ascot is on the cards for ‘TDN Rising Star’ and G1SW Ten Sovereigns (Ire) (No Nay Never) after his fifth-placed finish behind Magna Grecia over the Rowley Mile.

O’Brien added, “Ten Sovereigns was on the side with no pace and Ryan [Moore] had to be more forward than he would have liked as he knew the other side was ahead of him. He still ran a very good race and the plan is to go back in trip with him, probably for the [G1] Commonwealth Cup [at Royal Ascot].”

Also pointing to the Commonwealth is 1000 Guineas bridesmaid Lady Kaya (Ire) (Dandy Man {Ire}).

“She ran an absolute cracker and I couldn’t be prouder of her,” said trainer Sheila Lavery, who trains for her niece Joanne, to Racing Post. “She travelled beautifully through the race and the plan now is to drop her back to six furlongs and have a go at the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot. She won’t run again before then I don’t think and we will go straight there. She has loads of speed, so a stiff six furlongs at Ascot should really suit her.”

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