O’Brien Has French Targets For Al Riffa And Above The Curve

[Wandering Eyes]

Joseph O'Brien is plotting a raid on Deauville with top performers Al Riffa (American Pharoah) and Above The Curve (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) after their respective performances at the Curragh on Irish Derby weekend. 

Al Riffa, winner of the Vincent O'Brien National S. as a two-year-old, made a belated start to his campaign when second in a Group 3 while Above The Curve finished a creditable third in the Pretty Polly S.

O'Brien has nominated the G2 Prix Guillaume d'Ornano at Deauville in August for the colt next. 

“He got on nicely and we were pleased to get him started for the season,” O'Brien said. “We're looking forward to the rest of the season with him. He has a couple of Group 1 and Group 2 options, we're looking at a Group 2 in Deauville in August as potentially his next start. I think he will most likely stay at 10 furlongs for now.”

Meanwhile, the ever-consistent Above The Curve could seek her third win on French soil in the Prix Jean Romanet on August 20.

“She ran a good race and has come out of the Pretty Polly well,” O'Brien added. “We're looking at things like the Romanet and other races like that going forward. She has a lot of options there (France) and further afield as well.”

The Owning Hill handler also delivered a positive bulletin about his Royal Ascot heroes Okita Soushi and Dawn Rising, who both have further big-race assignments on their agendas.

“Both are in good shape and Dawn Rising will be considered for races like the Cesarewitch later in the season. Okita Soushi has an option in the Curragh Cup.”

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