RACING:TOMORROW'S JUDDMONTE Beresford Stakes at the Curragh has a cast-iron pedigree in producing future Classic stars and Battle Of Marengo looks the most capable of living up to that tradition.
Just five line up for the mile Group Two which over the years has produced superstar names from Nijinsky to Sea The Stars but which this time has been hit by the late defections of First Cornerstone and Galileo Rock.
Coolmore now dominate the €95,000 heat with three runners and Battle Of Marengo is already as low as 16 to 1 for next year’s Epsom Derby after a Listed win at Leopardstown last time which might not have illustrated everything the Galileo colt has in the locker. The saddle slipped on Battle Of Marengo in the straight that day but he still was able to beat Trading Leather comfortably, form that was boosted last weekend.
Ground conditions are likely to be easily the most testing he has faced and in the conditions Kingston Jamaica might be the one to give his stable companion most to do.
The going also appears to have had an impact on the Group Three CL Weld Park Stakes where the conditions shouldn’t bother the Moyglare fourth Magical Dream, a winner on the very soft at Galway.
In some ways the Listed Blenheim Stakes could be the most interesting contest of the day as Viztoria has her second career start, and the first for new trainer Eddie Lynam. Viztoria’s debut for Ado McGuinness yielded a wide-margin 33 to 1 success on heavy ground at Naas in July where Magical Dream could finish only third.
Dermot Weld will be anxious to win the Park Stakes named after his father with Rawaaq but his best chance of the meeting could be with Salhooda in the opening maiden. The filly couldn’t run at Listowel last week due to being in season but ran a fine debut at Killarney behind Greek Goddess.
Clonmel’s forecast “good to firm” ground indicates that part of south Tipperary must exist in a micro-climate of its own.
Conditions should be fine for Sea Of Thunder who significantly makes his chasing debut in the novice chase where rider Davy Russell should know exactly where he stands with Catcherinscratcher.
