Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-pedigreed horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Monday's Observations features 'TDN Rising Star' Ocean of Dreams on his bid to get his season back on track as well as the debuting full-brother to four-time Group 1-winning Ghaiyyath.
15.35 Gowran, Cond, €200,000, 3yo, 9f 100yT
OCEAN OF DREAMS (IRE) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) bids to get back on track following a disappointing return effort when trailing in the G3 Ballysax S. in this inaugural running of the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Gowran Classic which guarantees a place in the Irish Derby. Labelled a TDN Rising Star when winning by six lengths on debut at Leopardstown in October, Ballydoyle's half-brother to the Oaks-placed Alluringly (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) whose 2-year-old daughter Truly Enchanting (Ire) (No Nay Never) also recently joined the TDN Rising Star ranks, he encounters a suitably stacked field including Eric Long's course maiden winner Mataariki (Fr) (Cracksman {GB}) from the Joseph O'Brien stable.
16.05 Gowran, Mdn, €13,000, 3yo/up, c/g, 9f 100yT
DURAJI (IRE) (Dubawi {Ire}) debuts for Dermot Weld and is a Thoroughbred with real meaning as the 12th foal out of his late mother Gita's G1 Irish 1,000 Guineas heroine Nightime (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). A full-brother to the four-times group 1 winner Ghaiyyath (Ire) and half to the stable's GI Man o' War S. winner Zhukova (Ire) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}), he debuts in the colours of Jastar Capital Limited carried by the recent G3 Leopardstown Derby Trial third Taraj (Ire) (Churchill {Ire}).
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