The Curragh authorities are keeping their fingers firmly crossed that calendar vagaries don’t prevent Harzand taking top billing in Saturday’s Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby.
Dermot Weld has conceded the €1.5 million classic is coming a week sooner than he would like for the Epsom Derby hero who had to be treated for a foot problem in the days immediately following his defeat of the Ballydoyle pair, US Army Ranger and Idado.
Weld has stressed a final decision on Harzand’s participation in Ireland’s most valuable race won’t be taken until after a decisive piece of work before tomorrow’s final-declaration deadline.
“He’s very tough mentally, and courageous; that’s why I’m even talking about running him on Saturday,” he said. “I’m satisfied the horse is perfectly sound. It’s coming a week sooner than I’d like though. He had a tough race at Epsom and he’s just taking his time to come out of it.”
There are just three weeks between Epsom and the Curragh this year as was the case last year and in 2014. There were four weeks in 2013. The gap is determined by when the Derby at Epsom is run on the first Saturday in June.
“It depends on the international programme, the number of Saturdays in June, and where the Irish Derby fits in. Next year for instance there will be four weeks between the two races with our race looking to be run on July 1st,” Curragh spokesman Paul Hensey explained.
Should Harzand not make Saturday’s line-up it would appear to leave Aidan O’Brien in a dominant position with US Army Ranger and Idaho leading a half-dozen strong Ballydoyle contingent among the 11 left in the Derby after yesterday’s forfeit stage.
Contention
The sole overseas entry is Ed Dunlop’s Red Verdon who was supplemented into the race at a cost of €100,000. The only other trainer in contention is
Jim Bolger
, who left in Moonlight Magic and Stellar Mass.
Dermot Weld also left in another Aga Khan-owned colt, Ebediyin – fifth to another Derby entry, Sword Fighter, in last week’s Queen’s Vase at Royal Ascot – leaving open a possible pacemaker option.
O’Brien also looks to be keeping that avenue open with Claudio Monteverdi, Shogun and Port Douglas in the mix too as he pursues a 12th victory in a classic he has dominated like no other. Port Douglas and Sword Fighter also feature among entries for Sunday’s Group Two Coral Curragh Cup.
Initial bookmaker reaction to the latest declaration stage saw US Army Ranger made a shade of odds-on in some lists to reverse Epsom form with Harzand, rated a 13/8 shot, and Idaho on 5/1.
Ground conditions turned “good to yielding” on both Curragh tracks although Hensey warned: “Showers are forecast and more persistent rain is expected going into Friday morning.”
Minding is set to be the star attraction in Sunday’s Group One highlight, the Sea The Stars Pretty Polly Stakes.
The Epsom Oaks and Newmarket 1,000 Guineas winner is one of 10 left in the €250,000 mile-and-a-quarter race.
It will be the first occasion Minding has taken on older fillies and the opposition could include Godolphin’s Lucida and the James Fanshawe-trained Speedy Boarding.
