Futurity Is The Word In Kildare

[Wandering Eyes]

There is abundant action across Europe on Sunday, but with eyes to the horizon it is The Curragh’s card which intrigues the most as some budding Classic prospects are tested in the G2 Galileo Irish EBF Futurity S. and G2 Debutante S. In the former prize, Anthony Van Dyck (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) is widely expected to provide Aidan O’Brien with a 12th renewal and follow in the steps of the likes of Giant’s Causeway, Hawk Wing, Gleneagles (Ire) and Churchill (Ire). Off the mark by eight lengths over a mile at Killarney July 15, the half-brother to the G1 Railway S. winner Bounding (Aus) (Lonhro {Aus}) went back to this seven-furlong trip to annexe Leopardstown’s G3 Tyros S. by 4 3/4 lengths 11 days later. Joined by the stable’s Aug. 10 Listed Coolmore Caravaggio S. winner Christmas (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and June 17 Cork maiden scorer Mohawk (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), he faces the July 1 course-and-distance maiden one-two Klute (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}) and Guaranteed (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}). Klute’s trainer Jessica Harrington said, “He’s in good form and the form of his maiden has worked out well. We’ve been happy with him since and we’ll find out where he stands in the pecking order.”

In the Debutante, Lady Kaya (Ire) (Dandy Man {Ire}) enjoys the limelight after her emphatic 10-length success in this venue’s Loder Irish EBF Fillies Race at this seven-furlong trip Aug. 12. Trainer Sheila Lavery is ready for the biggest day of her training career. “She’s all set to go. We’re very happy with her,” she commented. “She’s just been cantering away. We haven’t done a whole lot with her since her last run, but she’s in good form. We’ll give it a go. There’s no point waiting for anything easier while she’s in good form.” Aidan O’Brien looks for a 13th edition with a trio of highly promising fillies headed by the authoritative Aug. 11 Cork maiden winner Zagitova (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and this looks one of the strongest renewals for some time. Joseph O’Brien saddles a live contender in the impressive July 17 Killarney maiden winner Iridessa (Ire) (Ruler of the World {Ire}), while proven pattern-race form is on show via the July 26 G3 Silver Flash S. scorer Skitter Scatter (Scat Daddy).

Sylvester Kirk may have found an ideal opportunity for stable star Salouen (Ire) (Canford Cliffs {Ire}) to gain a first black-type success in the G2 Lucien Barriere Grand Prix de Deauville, having finished runner-up to Cracksman (GB) (Frankel {GB}) in the June 1 G1 Coronation Cup at Epsom an third in the G1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud a month later. Standing in his way is last year’s winner Tiberian (Fr) (Tiberius Caesar {Fr}) and Godolphin’s Aug. 11 Listed Prix Nureyev winner Loxley (Ire) (New Approach {Ire}) and trainer Charlie Appleby is looking at continuing his purple patch at this meeting. “He goes into the Sunday’s race in good order and this is a step up again for him,” he said. “He ran well at Newmarket over a mile and five furlongs, so is pretty versatile as regards to distance.” In the G3 Prix de Meautry Barriere, Teruya Yoshida’s Coeur De Beaute (Fr) (Dabirsim {Fr}) brings Classic form into focus having been second in the May 13 G1 Poule d’Essai des Pouliches at ParisLongchamp while Andre Fabre runs the unexposed Juddmonte blueblood Vanbrugh (First Defence) off a course-and-distance conditions success Aug. 3. Back at The Curragh, Jim Bolger reintroduces last year’s G1 Goffs Vincent O’Brien National S. hero and TDN Rising Star Verbal Dexterity (Ire) (Vocalised) in the G3 Manguard Plus Royal Whip S.

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