Godolphin's quest for a unique 2000 Guineas treble with three different colts is set to culminate in Saturday's €500,000 G1 Tattersalls Irish 2000 Guineas at The Curragh, where the hot favourite Native Trail (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}) will face eight peers.
Drawn in stall one, which was occupied by two of the last three winners of the Classic in Mac Swiney (Ire) (New Approach {Ire}) and Phoenix of Spain (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}), he will start against the rail as he seeks compensation for his defeat in the Apr. 30 G1 2000 Guineas at Newmarket. The vibes are strong regarding the champion juvenile of 2021, who was at his most impressive when winning this track's G1 Vincent O'Brien National S.
“Native Trail heads back to the Curragh in great nick,” Charlie Appleby said. “Obviously, a repeat of his Newmarket run is going to make him the one to beat. There are some showers forecast, but good or good-to-soft ground should hopefully make it a fair playing field for everyone.”
Buckaroo Leads Owning Hill Charge…
Qatar Racing's May 2 Listed Tetrarch S. winner Buckaroo (GB) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) has been given the green light by Joseph O'Brien, while Aidan O'Brien will seek a 12th renewal with Westerberg and Coolmore's May 8 G3 Amethyst S. runner-up Ivy League (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). The private O'Brien Sr-Jr clash will be presaged by Friday's G3 Heider Family Stables Gallinule S., with Joseph represented by Ecurie Ama Zingteam's acquisition Hannibal Barca (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}), last seen finishing fourth in Doncaster's G1 Vertem Futurity Trophy, and Ballydoyle's duo headed by the G3 Eyrefield S. third Anchorage (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}).
Lysander Dreams On the Line…
Goodwood offers a late portal to the G1 Cazoo Derby, with the Listed British Stallion Studs EBF Cocked Hat S. featuring an entry in the June 4 Classic with some clout. Carrying the Classic-winning Highclere Thoroughbred Racing silks, the William Haggas-trained Lysander (GB) (New Approach {Ire}) scored by 8 1/2 lengths in a Newcastle novice Apr. 29 and has attracted support for the Blue Riband.
“He is a very exciting horse from what we have seen at home and we are going to have a look on Friday to see if he is a Derby horse,” Harry Herbert said. “He is a very exciting prospect. He comes with a big reputation, but we'll see. It's time to find out and then go on to the next level.”
It's Not Too Late…
Also on the Sussex Downs is the Listed William Hill Height of Fashion S., which has always acted as a last-ditch way into the Oaks, and there are two entries in the June 3 Classic engaged in the 10-furlong test. Qatar Racing's John and Thady Gosden-trained Emotion (GB) (Frankel {GB}), who was off the mark by 16 lengths in a Kempton novice May 4, could win here and theoretically go back to Epsom to face stablemate Emily Upjohn (GB) (Sea the Stars {Ire}), who had her way back in eighth in her Sandown novice romp Apr. 22. The other Epsom hope is Quantum Leap Racing' Ottilien (Fr) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}), who has raced mainly in France and captured a Chantilly conditions event last time Apr. 13.
“We are relying on the thunderstorms appearing for Ottilien,” trainer David Menuisier said. “We left her in the Oaks just in case, but she is very ground-dependent. She wants at least good-to-soft ground.”
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