Phoenix Aim For Aloha Star

[Wandering Eyes]

Aloha Star (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}), the surprise winner of last weekend’s G2 Airlie Stud S., could take on the boys next time in the G1 Phoenix S. at The Curragh on Aug. 9, according to trainer Fozzy Stack.

Aloha Star had taken three tries to break her maiden, which she achieved at Bellewstown on July 2, and while her 33-1 score in the Airlie Stud was unexpected by most, Stack admitted he wasn’t entirely surprised.

“It was great to see her go and do that, because she’s a filly we always thought a lot of,” he said. “She was just a bit dizzy and fresh in Naas the first day, and then Chris [Hayes] taught her a lesson in how to settle in Tipperary. She won well in Bellewstown and stepped up again on Sunday, so it’s great.

“We’ll think about the Phoenix S.–she would have to be supplemented for that. Later on you’ve got the [G1] Moyglare [Stud S.], which we can put her in at the second entry stage. I was thinking about the [G2] Lowther at York, but she’d carry a penalty in that now, and you’ve obviously got the traveling to consider. We’ll see how she is, but she could run in the Phoenix and then go for the Moyglare.”

Trainer Ger Lyons has reported that Frenetic (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}) second as the favourite in the Airlie Stud, will take on older sprinters in the G1 Nunthorpe S. on Aug. 21 if he can find a jockey that can do the weight of 8st.

“It wouldn’t be my style running a 2-year-old against their elders, but she’s all speed, even though I think she gets six well,” said Lyons. “If you watch the race [the Airlie Stud S.], it’s the first time she’s ever seen another horse. She saw off the Ballydoyle horse and Chris [Hayes on Aloha Star] attacked her late and by the time she looked she was coming back at the line.

“I think she’s very fast, but the problem we could have is a jockey as she’ll have a very low weight. I asked Chris, who jumped at the chance, but I think it’s even too light for him.”

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