The Curragh in Ireland is the place to be this weekend with the running of the Gr1 Pretty Polly Stakes on Saturday and the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby on Sunday.
Eight fillies contest the Paddy Power sponsored Pretty Polly (16h30) which sees a clash of the generations as Epsom Oaks runner-up Whirl takes on the year-older Group 1 winner Kalpana.
We’re racing at The Curragh on Saturday (Pic – The Curragh Racecourse on FB)
The Juddmonte owned Kalpana finished third behind Los Angeles in the Tattersalls Gold Cup on her seasonal return last month and gets the services of retained rider Colin Keane.
Her trainer Andrew Balding noted: “We’ve been really happy with Kalpana since her last trip to Ireland. She is a very high class filly and although we know she will probably improve for going a little further, she seems to me like she will be pretty effective going a mile and a quarter.”
Now back against her own sex, she looks the one to beat.
Whirl is the sole Ballydoyle runner and looks the biggest threat to the selection in receipt of the 12lb age allowance. She drops back in trip from Epsom, which may suit, and with Ryan Moore aboard will have plenty of supporters.
Colin Keane could already have a winner on the board as he teams up with the talented Lady Iman in the Gr2 Airlie Stud Stakes (14h45), run over six-furlongs. The Ger Lyons trained two-year-old is seeking a fourth straight victory. Judged on her last start at the Curragh when easily accounting for Royal Ascot winner True Love she gets the vote to stay unbeaten.
Sunday sees the running of the 160th Irish Derby (17h10). At time of writing on Friday there were still ten runners declared including five trained by Aidan O’Brien.
The big talking point is that the first three home at Epsom are all contesting the Curragh showpiece with Lambourn, Lazy Griff and Tennessee Stud all confirmed.
William Buick has secured the ride on the Charlie Johnston trained Lazy Griff who has finished runner-up to Lambourn both in the Chester Vase and then in the Derby. He faces a tough task beaten nearly four lengths at Epsom and would prefer a softer surface to the one he’s likely to get on Sunday.
Tennessee Stud was one of the closers at Epsom when staying on strongly in third beaten four and three-quarters. He looks the most likely to threaten the Epsom hero on a more suitable galloping track.
However, Aidan O’Brien is back on his home patch and will have the 5/6 favourite Lambourn tuned to the minute in an attempt to complete the Derby double.
Ryan Moore has replaced Wayne Lordan in the irons, and he will ensure his rivals see out every yard of the mile and a half trip.
