Racecards
17:10 Curragh (IRE)
Kerrygold Irish Oaks (Fillies Group 1) (Class 1)
- 8 Runners
- Distance: 1m 4f
- Going: Good (Good to Firm in places on round course)
- Surface: Turf
- €400,000 added
- Winner: €228,000
- 2nd: €75,999
- 3rd: €36,000
- 4th: €16,000
- Form 731-032
- Age 3
- Weight 9-0
- Official Rating 110
- Trainer A P O'Brien
- Jockey D O'Brien
mid-division, 5th halfway, pushed along and headway between horses under 2f out, ridden to go 2nd over 1f out, under pressure and kept on well inside final furlong
- Form 31-3841
- Age 3
- Weight 9-0
- Official Rating 113
- Trainer J P O'Brien
- Jockey W M Lordan
always towards rear, never a factor, pushed along early straight and no impression 2f out, edged right 1f out, no extra
- Form 11-24
- Age 3
- Weight 9-0
- Official Rating 108
- Trainer R M Beckett
- Jockey Harry Bentley
tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden on inner 2f out and no impression in 5th over 1f out, kept on one pace inside final furlong
- Form 1-40201
- Age 3
- Weight 9-0
- Official Rating 100
- Trainer A P O'Brien
- Jockey J A Heffernan
prominent, 2nd halfway, ridden over 2f out and soon no impression on winner, dropped to 4th over 1f out, no extra final furlong
- Form 215-123
- Age 3
- Weight 9-0
- Official Rating 112
- Trainer A P O'Brien
- Jockey R L Moore
held up in rear, pushed along and headway between horses under 2f out, 3rd 1f out, ridden and kept on one pace, no impression closing stages
- Form 12
- Age 3
- Weight 9-0
rear of mid-division, ran freely, 6th halfway, some headway on outer entering straight, ridden and no impression 1 1/2f out, went 4th 150 yards out and kept on one pace
- Form 6-131
- Age 3
- Weight 9-0
- Official Rating 110
- Trainer J & T Gosden
- Jockey L Dettori
soon led, pushed along early straight, ridden and 3 lengths clear over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, reduced advantage inside final 100 yards but held on well
- Form 144-731
- Age 3
- Weight 9-0
- Official Rating 105
- Trainer Mrs J Harrington
- Jockey S Foley
tracked leaders, 4th halfway, 3rd and pushed along entering straight, ridden 2f out, soon no extra and towards rear 1f out
Verdict
Only two of the last eight winners have been trained in Ireland, both by Aidan O'Brien. John Gosden has also won two and Star Catcher looked a rapidly improving filly when landing the Ribblesdale, when Fleeting was held up and came with a late run under Ryan Moore without threatening. He forsakes the Oaks third for Pink Dogwood, who he was on board when runner-up at Epsom but was a bit disappointing behind Iridessa in the Pretty Polly over 1m2f here. The time was quick and it was a massive performance by the winner, who had run well but been outpaced in the Guineas here and at Newmarket. Ralph Beckett runs easy Newbury Listed winner Antonia De Vega and Epsom Oaks fourth MANUELA DE VEGA and a chance is taken on the latter. Despite her pedigree she's looked a staying type and didn't get the run of the race in a slowly run Epsom classic. This is certain to be run at a blistering pace and her stamina can help her keep up the winning sequence of the raiders.
Formwatch
Fleeting (IRE) 7-4fav (9-0) A little slow into stride, held up towards rear, headway when not much room over 2f out, switched right inside final furlong, went 2nd final 75 yards, not trouble winner, 2nd of 11, 1 1/2l behind Star Catcher (9-0) at Ascot 1m 4f Grp 2 fll stks (1) sft in Jun.
Iridessa (IRE) 8-1 (8-12) Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, pushed along 2f out and headway to lead 1f out, ridden and edged right 100 yards out, kept on well, won at Curragh 1m 2f Grp 1 stks (1) gd in Jun beating Magic Wand (9-10) by 2 1/4l, 5 ran.
Manuela De Vega (IRE) 16-1 (9-0) Held up in mid-division, headway over 2f out, chasing leaders when hampered 1f out, went 3rd briefly inside final furlong, plugged on in 4th, 4th of 14, 2 1/2l behind Anapurna (9-0) at Epsom 1m 4f Grp 1 fll (1) gd in May.
Peach Tree (IRE) 7-1 (8-9) Prominent, closed up travelling smoothly into straight, pushed along from 2f out, led inside final furlong, kept on well, won at Leopardstown 1m 6f Grp 3 stks (1) gf in Jul beating Moteo (9-9) by 1/2l, 7 ran.
Pink Dogwood (IRE) 11-10fav (8-12) Ran 4th, pushed along entering straight and some headway on outer 2f out, ridden in 3rd and no impression 150 yards out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 5, 3 1/2l behind Iridessa (8-12) at Curragh 1m 2f Grp 1 stks (1) gd in Jun.
Search For A Song (IRE) 2-1fav (9-0) Prominent and led after 2f, travelled well early straight, pushed along and headed under 2f out, ridden 1f out and no impression on winner inside final furlong, kept on one pace, 2nd of 9, 2 3/4l behind Trethias (9-0) at Naas 1m 2f lst fll (1) gd in Jun.
Star Catcher 4-1 (9-0) Mid-division, closed from 3f out, led 2f out, stayed on well inside final furlong, won at Ascot 1m 4f Grp 2 fll stks (1) sft in Jun beating Fleeting (9-0) by 1 1/2l, 11 ran.
Trethias 11-2 (9-0) Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, went 2nd early straight and pushed along to lead under 2f out, ridden and kept on well inside final furlong, won at Naas 1m 2f lst fll (1) gd in Jun beating Search For A Song (9-0) by 2 3/4l, 9 ran.
Antonia De Vega (IRE) 4-1 (9-0) Held up in rear, steady headway 3f out, tracked leaders over 2f out, shaken up to lead inside final furlong, soon clear, stayed on strongly, won at Newbury 1m 2f lst fll stks (1) sft in Jun beating Star Terms (9-0) by 4l, 6 ran.
Operatic Export (IRE) 66-1 (9-0) Mid-division, 7th and pushed along entering straight, ridden and no impression under 2f out, kept on one pace final furlong, 7th of 9, 12 1/4l behind Trethias (9-0) at Naas 1m 2f lst fll (1) gd in Jun.