RACING:CURRAGH TRAINER Tracey Collins has three runners at her local course tomorrow, including Mrs Happy in the Moyglare Stud Stakes, but her focus will also be on Rock Jock's Group Two attempt in Germany where the Irish horse tackles Overdose, the famous "Budapest Bullet". Rock Jock is part of a 14-strong field for the Group Two Goldene Peitsche at Baden-Baden tomorrow afternoon and with Pat Shanahan on duty at the Curragh, Michael Hussey travels to Germany to ride the Irish hope.
However, it looks like being a hot race with Overdose, the star Hungarian sprinter who “won” the aborted 2008 Prix de l’Abbaye in spectacular fashion, attempting to stretch his unbeaten run to 15 under Christophe Soumillon.
Also in the race is the former South African Group One winner War Artist who is now trained in France by Alain de Royer-Dupre.
Hussey won on Rock Jock at Down Royal last September but the horse has been in fine form this season, running third to Rainfall in the Jersey at Royal Ascot and finishing runner-up in the Belgrave Stakes at Fairyhouse last month.
Galway’s three-day autumn meeting gets under way today with the first of two all-National Hunt cards.
Racing opens with a competitive novice chase which sees Barry Geraghty team up again with Beau Michael, who had to get a full-on Geraghty drive to win a memorable finish here a month ago at the summer festival. Beau Michael showed no effects from that at Ballinrobe subsequently with a hurdles success and is a tough operator to pass around Ballybrit. Geraghty also teams up with his old ally Tom Taaffe, who enjoyed a memorable Plate victory here a month ago, for Steeltown in the novice hurdle and this one can build on his Kilbeggan maiden success.
Another Ambition has a big weight in the handicap hurdle but is attractively rated compared to his chase mark and can score for the in-form Tony Martin-Ruby Walsh combination.
They also look to have a major shout in one of tomorrow’s handicap hurdles with the hat-trick seeking Dream Champion while Alfa Beat is attempting four-in-a-row in the featured handicap chase.
Gentleman Jeff found Baracas too good at Galway a month ago but looks to have a good opportunity in the opening maiden hurdle for Dermot Weld and Robbie McNamara.
