MIDDAY’S CONNECTIONS are set to fork out a €50,000 supplementary fee today to set up a Darley Irish Oaks rematch with Sariska at the Curragh but one star name missing from Sunday’s Classic will be Again.
Trainer David Wachman yesterday ruled out his Irish 1,000 Guineas winner from an opportunity to secure a second Classic victory of the season at headquarters. “Some of my horses are a little under the weather at the moment and she won’t be running. Plans for Again are unclear right now,” Wachman said.
That means the focus is likely to rest even further on Sariska and Midday who fought out an epic finish in the Epsom Oaks last month, with Sariska emerging best by a head. However, the Midday team are keen for another crack at the Michael Bell-trained filly and Prince Khaled Abdulla’s Juddmonte organisation are likely to pay a €50,000 supplementary fee to get her into the race at today’s forfeit stage.
“The intention is to supplement her,” confirmed the Prince’s racing manager, Teddy Grimthorpe yesterday. “We are just mindful of the forecast in terms of the amount of rain. She has done very well since Epsom and has been working nicely.”
The ground at the Curragh yesterday was officially “yielding” with showers forecast for today.
Midday’s trainer Henry Cecil is a three-time Irish Oaks winner but the last of them was Ramruma 10 years ago. Diminuendo (1988) and Alydaress (1989) were also successful in the Curragh Classic for the legendary Newmarket trainer.
Aidan O’Brien completed a four-in-a-row in the Irish Derby nine days ago and he is also on a four-timer in the Oaks, having won the last three with Alexandrova (2006), Peeping Fawn (2007) and Moonstone last year.
Sariska’s trainer Bell could also be represented in Saturday’s Group Three Keeneland Minstrel Stakes at the Curragh after Redford figured among 19 entries left in the race at yesterday’s forfeit stage.
Another cross-channel entry is Peter Chapple-Hyam’s Al Qasi, while five Aidan O’Brien hopefuls are headed by Heart Shaped.
Famous Name heads a total of 14 entries left in the nine-furlong International Stakes, although on the back of his impressive Celebration Stakes win at the Curragh on Derby day, the Juddmonte team have the Group One Prix Jacques Le Marois as a target next month.
Also left in the International are four Ballydoyle hopefuls, including Chief Lone Eagle who holds an entry in the Minstrel.
Dermot Weld has two options for the race – Luminous Eyes and Mad About You – but the Curragh trainer was out of luck at Hollywood Park on Sunday night as Rare Ransom could finish only 11th in the $700,000 American Oaks.
The Grade One race was won by the Tom Albertrani-trained Gozzip Girl who beat Well Monied. Henry Cecil’s Apple Charlotte was eighth.
At Roscommon this evening Red Rock Canyon can lose his maiden tag.
