RACING:JESSICA HARRINGTON'S profile with flat horses has been significantly boosted in recent years but Pathfork could use today's Group Tow Galileo Futurity Stakes at the Curragh to take the trainer to another level again.
Renowned as having master-minded the career of the legendary champion chaser Moscow Flyer, as well as a number of other top jumpers, Harrington has also made her mark in the summer game recently.
Curtain Call was a Beresford Stakes winner before being sold on while Long Lashes won a Listed winner on her debut last year before being picked up in a big-money deal by Godolphin. Laughing Lashes has already won the Group Two Debutante this month but despite that level of success Pathfork might just eventually prove to be the best of the lot of them.
The American bred colt is already a 25 to 1 shot for next year’s Newmarket Guineas after a hugely impressive debut at HQ in which Pathfork bounded clear of the subsequent Galway winner Robin Hood. That colt is part of a four-strong party from Ballydoyle today as Aidan O’Brien chases an eighth Futurity success. The champion trainer has used the race as a stepping stone in the past for the top horses like Giants Causeway (1999), Hawk Wing (2001) and Cape Blanco last year.
Jim Bolger though looks to provide the main threat to Pathfork’s chances with the hugely-touted Glor Na Mara whose disappointing Anglesey debut was put well behind him when he finished a half-length runner up to Zoffany in the Group One Phoenix Stakes.
Bolger has nominated the Dewhurst and the National Stakes as targets for Glor Na Mara, both races won by Teofilo (2006) and New Approach (2007) after they won the Futurity. The Bolger colt is bringing some level of form to this race for a maiden while Longhunter is a lot better than he showed in the Railway Stakes.
However, there was an awful lot to like about Pathfork’s debut and while he might not be coming here from one of the country’s top flat yards, Harrington has already proved more than capable of surprising them.
Meow, runner-up to Maqaasid in the Queen Mary at Royal Ascot, is rated 8lb clear of her rivals in the Listed Grangecon Stud Stakes and sports a first time tongue-strap for trainer David Wachman who could also go close in the opener with Green Warrior.
Any ease in the going would be perfect for Roses For The Lady in the Ballycullen Stakes. Last year’s Irish Oaks runner up was not suited by the going when only third to Tactic in the Curragh Cup and in the right conditions would look to have too much quality for Drumfire.
Ger Lyons will be aiming for a Grade One coup in California tonight where Berg Bhan has her last start for the Co Meath trainer in the Del Mar Oaks.
