Who’s Game?

[Wandering Eyes]

Leopardstown’s G3 Derrinstown Stud 1,000 Guineas Trial can sometimes be a victim of its place in the calendar so soon after Newmarket’s 1000 Guineas, but Sunday’s renewal seems particularly strong with some “faces” from last year and some unexposed types bidding to check into the Curragh Classic in two weeks’ time.

It’s been a case of so near yet so far since Magical (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) upset Happily (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) in the G2 Debutante S. at The Curragh in August and it may be significant that she was tried in blinkers when fourth to Musis Amica (Ire) (Dawn Approach {Ire}) in ParisLongchamp’s G3 Prix de la Grotte Apr. 15 and now has cheekpieces fitted. She has to give three pounds to another of George Strawbridge’s recents acquisitions Who’s Steph (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}), who bids to become the first since Carribean Sunset (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}) to complete the double of this track’s two 1,000 Guineas Trials. Interestingly, that ex-Dermot Weld trainee beat Magical’s dam Halfway To Heaven (Ire) (Pivotal {GB}) in the former before the runner-up went on to win the Irish 1000 itself. Ger Lyons’s representative was positively-ridden in that Ballylinch Stud-sponsored seven-furlong contest Apr. 14 and showed tenacity which will be required again here. “She’s a lovely, honest filly who has been training well since the last day and this looked the obvious race to aim towards as she is able to line up without a penalty,” her trainer said. “We hope she will run well on Sunday and that race will help us to make a plan going forward. We’re blessed to have a new owner to have joined the team and it’s just great to have those colours in the yard.”

Godophin’s Mary Tudor (Ire) (Dawn Approach {Ire}) was just behind Magical on two occasions last year and came back to break her maiden in the 10-furlong Listed Salsabil S. at Navan Apr. 22. Trainer Willie McCreery said, “Mary Tudor has come out of her first run of the season really well. Sunday will be on better ground again and back over the Guineas trip, so it will be a nice trial for her. I feel the better the ground, the better she will be and it was just nice to get that win with her as she had some very good form last year. She is growing and maturing all the time and she’s getting more relaxed too, so we are looking forward to Sunday.”

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