THIS country's leading race for two year old fillies, the Moyglare Stud Stakes, is to have it value increased by 50 per cent this year to £150,000.
The Group One event, whose distance was increased to seven furlongs in 1992, will be run at the Curragh on Sunday, September 8th.
Stan Cosgrove, the Moyglare manager, said yesterday. The Moyglare has been won by many good fillies and a number of them have gone on to win more big races. We have decided to increase the prize money in order to ensure that the race attracts the best."
By contrast, the most valuable race at Clonmel this afternoon is the £4,000 Powerstown Handicap Hurdle and, ironically, that is the only race on the card in which each way betting is not possible.
Pat Flynn saddles the top weight, Leggagh Lady, who cantered in by six lengths from Ring The Alarm at Thurles last Thursday and has been raised 7lb for that effort.
He is also represented by Kerryhead Girl, a close second to Alices Run over the course and distance in December.
A bumper winner over this course, two weeks ago, Le Grande Bard is clearly on the upgrade. The seven year old has, also displayed reasonable ability over hurdles and is taken to beat Kerryhead Girl.
Risk Of Thunder has been caught on the run in on his last two efforts, at Down Royal and Fairyhouse, and earlier the seven year old had been beaten a snug two lengths by Go Go Gallant at Punchestown. He now enjoys a 7lb swing in the weights in his favour against the Fergie Sutherland runner.
Baile Na Gcloch made a mistake at the first when disappointing at Down Royal. His second of 6 to Good Glow at Punchestown on his previous outing is perhaps a better indication of his ability and he is the choice in the Templemore Maiden Hurdle.
Casey Jane, a shade unlucky here when runner up to Peace Time Girl, is not opposed in the opening division.