NEWSIRELAND'S RICHEST race day looks like attracting a rare runner from Germany as Mambo Light is set to chase a €1 million jackpot at the Curragh this Sunday.
A million euro to each winner is the lure for both Parknasilla Hotel Goffs Million races which boast a total prize fund of €3.2 million. The races are confined to horses bought at the Goffs "Million" Sale and the money on offer has convinced connections of Mambo Light to take a circuitous route back to Ireland for the fillies race.
The €325,000 purchase is now trained by Andreas Wohler, one of Germany's biggest trainers with a history of international success to his credit including an Arlington Million with Silvano and a Dubai Duty Free victory with Paolini. He also trained the subsequent Oaks and 1,000 Guineas heroine Kazzia as a juvenile.
Mambo Light's first two starts were for Paul Cole in England where she was placed twice. On her only start for Wohler she managed a runner-up placing in a Group Three at Baden-Baden 19 days ago. "I believe the German horse is coming here to run. They have been on to us to confirm travel and accommodation bookings so we're hopeful," said the Curragh manager Paul Hensey.
Mambo Light is among 25 entries left in the fillies event which fell to Lush Lashes on her racecourse debut last year. Her trainer Jim Bolger has left in both Ceist Eile and Marina Of Venice while eight British-trained horses remain in, including a trio from Richard Hannon's yard.
Just 21 are possible for the colts and geldings race which resulted in a 1-2-3 for the cross-channel raiders last year. Luck Money's trainer Paul Cole has one option this time in Cruikadyke while a trio of Jim Bolger entries include Intense Focus and Gan Amhras.
The ground at the Curragh was "yielding to soft" yesterday but good ground is being forecast for the weekend with a dry week expected. The course authorities will be hoping for an increase on last year's disappointing crowd figure of 6,431 which was a substantial drop from the 2006 figure of 10,000.
Aidan O'Brien has a massive 14 entries among the 21 remaining in the Group Two Juddmonte Beresford Stakes including Rip Van Winkle and the easy Gowran winner Masterofthehorse.
John Oxx has left in Galileo's half brother Sea The Stars in the mile event but Jim Bolger has left open the Group Two option for Gan Amhras who is also in the Million. Dermot Weld has left in Rare Ransom for the Park Stakes, which commemorates his father.
Imperial Call can deliver again
IMPERIAL BELLE broke her duck at Ballinrobe on Monday and shouldn't have to wait long for a follow-up at Downpatrick this afternoon, writes Brian O'Connor.
Joanna Morgan's three-year-old lines up in the apprentice handicap over 11 furlongs and the quarter mile extra from Ballinrobe shouldn't be a problem judged on the way she finished for Pat Smullen.
There was five lengths back to the third and a 5lb penalty doesn't look enough to stop Imperial Belle. The other apprentice handicap could be a good opportunity for Dermot Weld's Teach Nua who has proved expensive to follow on the flat but whose third to Sweet Kiln at Tramore gives him a big shout in this company.
The Kicking King team of Barry Geraghty and Tom Taaffe team up for the concluding Beginners Chase where the Galway placed Window Of Hope looks to hold sound claims.
