Rude Health

Since its switch to this weekend, pattern upgrade and extension from seven furlongs to a mile in 2012, Leopardstown’s G3 Golden Fleece S., or Willis Champions Juvenile S., has quickly established itself as a hotbed of domestic talent, and Saturday’s renewal looks no exception. ‘TDN Rising Star’ Sanus Per Aquam (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}), who earned such rave reviews from Jim Bolger prior to his surprise eclipse at the hands of Ballydoyle’s Deauville (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) in the July 23 G3 Tyros S. over seven furlongs here, is out to regain first place in the Coolcullen pecking order after stable companion Herald the Dawn (Ire) (New Approach {Ire}) took up that position with his win in the Aug. 23 G2 Futurity S. at The Curragh. Third and well-beaten behind that colt in the seven-furlong feature was Derrick Smith’s highly regarded Shogun (Ire) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}), with the softened ground conditions blamed for that lackluster effort. Aidan O’Brien also saddles the impressive Aug. 19 Killarney maiden winner Johannes Vermeer (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), while Dermot Weld adds further spice to a competitive affair with Moyglare Stud’s similarly convincing July 27 Galway maiden scorer True Solitaire (Ire) (Oasis Dream {GB}).