RACING: Aidan O'Brien has outlined possible plans for an ambitious raid on Belmont Park's Woodward Stakes in eight days.
Both Hold That Tiger and Statue Of Liberty have been entered for the 10-furlong Grade One race on dirt and the top American rider Jerry Bailey is reportedly on standby to ride whichever colt might be picked to travel.
Hold That Tiger hasn't run since failing in the Eclipse Stakes but has a proven record on dirt having finished third in last year's Breeders' Cup.
Statue Of Liberty was just beaten for the Sussex Stakes on his last start.
O'Brien has also entered five horses for the Grade One Man O'War Stakes on grass on the same card and they include the Great Voltigeur principals, Powerscourt and Brian Boru.
Both those colts figure highly in the ante-post betting for the Doncaster St Leger a week later but O'Brien stressed yesterday that no definite plans have been finalised.
"It is possible we could run something in New York but it's by no means certain.
We will decide at the weekend," he said.
The other Ballydoyle colts with Man O'War entries are Carpanetto, France and Hold That Tiger.
Before that O'Brien's Group One focus will be on Sunday's Prix Morny at Deauville where he could run the trio of Colossus, Old Deuteronomy and Haydn, and on the Curragh's Moyglare Stud Stakes.
"We could run the three of them in the Morny and Necklace seems to be fine for the Moyglare," O'Brien said.
The going at the Curragh remained "good to firm" yesterday with some watering continuing on the parts of the track that need it.
The Turf Club announced yesterday the launch of a fund in memory of Kieran Kelly who died as a result of injuries sustained earlier this month. Kelly's family have requested all proceeds be donated to the Jockeys Accident Fund.
Donations can be made to the Bank Of Ireland branch in Newbridge (sort code: 90-12-63) and the account number is 34653683. Credit card donations and cheques can be made through the Turf Club.
The Guinness Gold Cup is the fourth day highlight at Tralee and John Oxx will be double handed as he tries to add to Dearly's success in 2001. Catherine Gannon is on Englishtown but preference is for Zimbabwe who is a winner on fast ground at Wexford. Oxx also looks to have the winning of the 11-furlong maiden with Vintage Port who faces Trevi Fountain from Ballydoyle and All Theatrical from the Weld camp. The firm ground must be a slight concern for Trevi Fountain who is by Sadlers Wells and Vintage Port's experience on quick going can edge it.
