Irish Oaks Conundrum

[Wandering Eyes]

Emily Upjohn (GB) (Frankel {GB}) couldn't make the flight, so it's time to move on and focus on those left to fight out Saturday's G1 Juddmonte Irish Oaks at the Curragh, which unusually features none of the fillies who participated in the Oaks.

That means that it is even more of a puzzle, with Zhang Yuesheng's June 16 G2 Ribblesdale S. winner Magical Lagoon (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) left as short-priced favourite even though she is yet to tackle Group 1 company. What her half-length defeat of Sea Silk Road (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) at Royal Ascot represents is hard to know, but it may be telling that Aidan O'Brien has opted to take her on again with the well-beaten third History (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). Stable form is a plus for Jessie Harrington, who also saddles Vimal Khosla's course-and-distance June 1 maiden winner Fennela (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), but a trio of Ballydoyle contenders stand in her way.

 

Another Emily To The Rescue

   Emily Upjohn's absence leaves a large dent in the 2022 renewal, but there is a chance that another of that name will come out on top in Emily Dickinson (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}). One of Rosegreen's trio, she came back from a lengthy absence having disappointed in the Listed Lingfield Oaks Trial to run the year-older Rosscarbery (Ger) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) to a short head in Leopardstown's 14-furlong G3 Stanerra S. last Thursday. A daughter of the 2013 Irish Oaks heroine Chicquita (Ire) (Montjeu {Ire}), she produced a rare surge at the end of that contest and in another stride would have been past the vastly-improved Twomey runner. Ryan Moore has opted for the daughter of You'resothrilling (Storm Cat), Toy (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), who has been 11th in the G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches at ParisLongchamp May 15 and 12th in the G1 Prix de Diane at Chantilly June 19. It is an unorthodox route to this race, but her rider's faith in her ability shines through. “We believe she is better than she has shown to date,” he said.

 

Best Of The Rest

The Curragh's Saturday card also features the G3 Jebel Ali Racecourse And Stables Anglesey S., where Ballydoyle's 'TDN Rising Star' Little Big Bear (Ire) (No Nay Never) is slated to run having been taken out of the G2 July S. due to the fast ground prevalent at Newmarket. The June 15 Listed Windsor Castle S. winner will have the June 24 course maiden scorer Slan Abhaile (Ire) (Territories {Ire}) to contend with, while in the G2 Barberstown Castle Sapphire S., Craig Bernick and Antony Beck's G3 Marble Hill S. winner and G1 Middle Park S. runner-up Castle Star (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}) makes his reappearance after a 294-day layoff.

“He had a little hiccup in the spring, so is a little later starting back,” trainer Fozzy Stack explained. “He seems in good order, he's ready to start back, but will probably need the run as he hasn't run for quite a while.”

Scott Heider's Joseph O'Brien-trained Brostaigh (Ire) (Footstepsinthesand {GB}) comes off the back of a win in the G2 Prix du Gros-Chene at Chantilly June 5 and has developed a granite exterior the more sprinting practice she has been given.

Later in the day, Saint-Cloud stages a fascinating G2 Prix Eugene Adam, where Sunderland Holdings' June 14 G1 St James's Palace S. third My Prospero (Ire) (Iffraaj {GB}) takes on the Wertheimers' unbeaten Apr. 17 G3 Prix Noailles scorer Junko (GB) (Intello {Ger}) and Vagalame (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), who dead-heated for fifth with Onesto (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) in the June 5 Prix du Jockey Club.

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