Coming so relatively late in the summer, The Curragh's G1 Darley Irish Oaks offers the opportunity for the later-developing fillies to reach a pinnacle and Even Song (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) seems at last ready to meet her stable's expectations in Saturday's edition.
Third in the Listed Pretty Polly S. over 10 furlongs at Newmarket May 1, Susan Magnier's half-sister to last year's G1 St Leger and G1 QIPCO British Champions Fillies & Mares S. heroine Simple Verse (Ire) (Duke of Marmalade {Ire}) came of age when taking the G2 Ribblesdale S. in the manner of a Classic filly over this trip at Royal Ascot last time June 16. Aidan O'Brien, who has won this four times, also saddles the front-running June 12 G3 Munster Oaks winner Pretty Perfect (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), who has strong claims in her own right, and the June 3 G1 Epsom Oaks fourth and sixth Somehow (Ire) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) and Seventh Heaven (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), respectively, who could also step up to feature. The latter had beaten Oaks runner-up Architecture (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}) in the May 7 Listed Lingfield Oaks Trial prior to her flop at Epsom and that form entitles her to respect.
“[Even Song] is in good form,” O'Brien said. “She had a little rest after Ascot and we've been happy with her since. She seems to handle most types of ground and we are looking forward to running her. I've been very happy with Somehow since Epsom and we just felt that she didn't act around Epsom and we think the Curragh will suit her better. She raced a little bit idle in the Oaks, so we're putting a pair of cheekpieces on her. We thought Seventh Heaven might not have handled Lingfield and then thought she didn't handle Epsom. Seamus [Heffernan] thinks the Curragh will suit her better. When Pretty Perfect stepped back up to a mile and a half last time she loved it and it seemed to bring out the best in her.”
Second to Even Song at the Royal meeting was Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum's maiden Ajman Princess (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}), who was supplemented by trainer Roger Varian on the assumption that she is on the upgrade.
“We've always liked this filly and although she's still a maiden, her form is very strong,” he explained. “She split listed winners on her second run at Ascot and her second in the Ribblesdale showed that she's a high-level performer. Take Even Song out and it has a very open look to it. We thought we'd be best lining up with every chance of finishing in the first three. I think she's improving–a lot of three-year-old fillies are at this time of year.”
Sporting a tongue-tie for the first time is June Judd's Turret Rocks (Ire) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}), who would have strong credentials on her win in the G2 May Hill S. at Doncaster in September and second in the G1 Prix Marcel Boussac at Longchamp in October. She has been disappointing so far this term, finishing sixth in the G1 1000 Guineas at Newmarket May 1 and seventh in the G1 Epsom Oaks June 3 when unable to handle the downhill run to Tattenham Corner.
Trainer Jim Bolger also saddles An Cailin Orga (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), a daughter of his star Finsceal Beo (Ire) (Mr. Greeley) who has a lot to find on her latest sixth in the handicap over this course and distance June 24.
John Oxx has had a quiet season, but in Newtown Anner Stud Farm's Red Stars (Ire) (Manduro {Ger}) he has a place contender based on her win in the Listed Lenebane S. over an extended 11 furlongs at Roscommon July 4.
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