Commanding Presence

Anybody that needed to know about Shogun (Ire) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) only needed to check out the maiden he was introduced in by Aidan O’Brien on Irish Derby weekend, and although he blew his lines on that occasion, he has since put himself in a leading role for Sunday’s G2 Galileo EBF Futurity S. at The Curragh. Only seventh behind Sanus Per Aquam (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}) and not too encouraging on the face of it in the seven-furlong maiden in which Ballydoyle had run Gleneagles (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), Roderic O’Connor (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), Rip Van Winkle (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), Duke of Marmalade (Ire) (Danehill), Horatio Nelson (Ire) (Danehill) and Australia (GB) (Galileo {Ire}), the full-brother to this year’s G1 Epsom Oaks heroine Qualify (Ire) returned to the same track and trip with blinkers fitted and duly won easily by 2 1/4 lengths July 18. Joseph O’Brien has opted for him over the July 11 G2 Superlative S. runner-up Air Vice Marshal (War Front), which speak volumes, and he said at The Curragh Saturday, “It was a tough choice, but I have always held Shogun in high regard and he won very easily the last day. I’d say it’s no faster than good today, so I’d be worried if we got rain. He’s working nicely, as is the other horse, and he has the form in the book. Both are fast-ground horses, so we will be in trouble if we get a lot of rain.”

Jim Bolger looks to Godolphin’s Herald the Dawn (Ire) (New Approach {Ire}) to emulate his sire, who was such an impressive winner of this in 2007, and the manner of his maiden win over this trip at Naas last time Aug. 3 suggests he could be cut from some of the same cloth. The full-brother to Dawn Approach (Ire) had previously been a highly encouraging second on debut over six furlongs at that track July 8 and his profile sits well with several of this race’s recent winners. “Herald the Dawn is very well. We have been very happy with him since he won at Naas and we think that he is an improving colt,” Bolger said. One who could upset the major stables if the rain arrives and she is allowed to take her chance is the Michael O’Callaghan-trained filly Now Or Never (Ire) (Bushranger {Ire}). After an encouraging first outing when second over six furlongs at Fairyhouse June 10, the imposing bay annihilated her opposition, which included some well-regarded types in a Galway maiden over this trip last time July 28. “She’s in very good form, great order. If she runs, I’d be very hopeful of her chances,” her conditioner said. “There is also the Listed Flame of Tara S. at The Curragh the following Sunday as another option. It would be nice to get another run into her before the Moyglare. She is a big, backward filly and doesn’t want firm ground.”