Joseph O'Brien's Group 1-winning juveniles Thunder Moon (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}) and Pretty Gorgeous (Ire) (Lawman {Fr}) will attempt to get back in the winner's enclosure at Royal Ascot next week.
Chantal Regalado-Gonzalez's Thunder Moon stamped himself as a leader of his generation in the autumn with a victory in the G1 Goffs Vincent O'Brien National S. and a third in the G1 Dewhurst S., but disappointed when last of 14 in the May 1 G1 2000 Guineas.
“Thunder Moon obviously disappointed at Newmarket, so we've put a line through that run,” O'Brien told the Nick Luck Daily Podcast. “We had an eye on the Irish Guineas but when the ground looked like it was going to be soft, which it was, we rerouted to go to Ascot and his preparation has gone well.”
Of the colt's Guineas performance, O'Brien added, “Nothing really came to light other than the fact he got very upset pre-race; we didn't have much of an excuse. He's been well since. Unfortunately these things happen and we've just put a line through it. There's always the possibility [that he hasn't trained on] but his work has been nice at home. He's always been a sharp worker and his work has been good in preparation for this race. You never know until they do it on the track and that is where it matters.”
Thunder Moon will have the chance to redeem himself in the G1 St James's Palace S.
“I think it's a suitable race, a relatively easy mile compared to The Curragh–it's certainly easier than that, so it looks a good race for him,” O'Brien said. “I think he goes there with an outside chance, certainly a good chance if he can get back to his best form.”
John Oxley's G1 Fillies' Mile winner and Cartier champion 2-year-old filly Pretty Gorgeous finished seventh, beaten 3 1/2 lengths, in the G1 Irish 1000 Guineas in the lone start thus far of her 3-year-old campaign. She holds an entry in next week's G1 Coronation S.
“She's done really well,” O'Brien said. “It was well documented we didn't have the smoothest of runs with her but I was pleased with her at The Curragh, I was pleased with her comeback run and I'm excited to get her out again. I think her ideal ground is the easy side of good, but she's proven effective on all surfaces. I'm happy enough with the ground for her.
“I feel good with the Ascot team, we might not have any outstanding chances but we have some nice chances. I think Pretty Gorgeous might be our best chance going over there. I'd be very pleased if we can get one on the board.”
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