IRISH 1,000 GUINEAS PREVIEW:WAYNE LORDAN goes into this Irish Guineas weekend never having won a Group One race but Lolly For Dolly can put that right for her jockey in tomorrow's Etihad Airways Irish 1,000 Guineas.
Despite that notable blank on Lordan’s CV, the 30-year-old rider knows precisely what a top-flight performer feels like as he has ridden the likes of Myboycharlie, Bushranger and Soldier Of Fortune before their biggest successes.
However, this looks like being his own opportunity for the limelight. Noll Wallop is no forlorn hope in today’s 2,000 Guineas but it is Tommy Stack’s other classic hope, Lolly For Dolly, that looks to have outstanding shout.
The unbeaten filly runs in the colours of David Keoghan, a former Irish international athlete, and partner of author Cecilia Ahern, who is currently pursuing an acting career in New York.
After a wide-margin maiden success at Cork in April, the daughter of Oratorio overcame a little trouble in running to impressively land the Athasi Stakes and looks to be rapidly on the upgrade.
She will need to be as among a 19-strong field are some proven Group One performers like the Newmarket third Gile Na Greine and a strong overseas challenge that includes the Mick Channon- trained Music Show and Godolphin’s supplementary entry Anna Salai.
She is a recent transfer from Andre Fabre for whom she was a hugely impressive winner of last month’s Prix de la Grotte. She represents Godolphin’s recently appointed trainer Mahmood Al Zarooni who has quickly made an impression in England.
Riding a classic at the Curragh will be a new experience for her jockey Ahmed Ajtebi which is a slight negative to Anna Salai’s chance whereas Ryan Moore is keen to have another classic crack off Music Show.
Channon’s representative was marooned in the centre of the track at Newmarket as the Guineas was fought out on the stands rail. Channon understandably felt sore afterwards and Music Show should be a big player tomorrow.
However, the Stack team know how to win this race, having scored with Tarascon a dozen years ago, and they can now supply their jockey with a breakthrough classic victory.
Fame And Glory is already a classic winner at the Curragh and last year’s Derby winner is hard to oppose in tomorrow’s other Group One highlight, the Tattersalls Gold Cup.
The 10-furlong feature looks like turning into a Coolmore versus Godolphin clash as another ex-Fabre runner, Cutlass Bay, has been supplemented into the race.
Cutlass Bay is a Group One winner too, with a Prix Ganay victory under his belt, but he hung in that race and may not be suited by very quick ground.
Jan Vermeer tests his Derby credentials in the Group Three Gallinule Stakes and although the Criterium-International winner has to concede 7lb and more, on official figures he remains over half a stone well in.
The unknown factor is how straight he will be and in the circumstances, Shintoh, a son of the Breeders’ Cup heroine Hollywood Wildcat, may be a better option after an impressive return to action at Navan.
Tote makes betting changes
TOTE IRELAND are changing the conditions of their place and placepot betting in order to adapt to international Tote standards.
Instead of paying on four places in all races with 16 or more runners, Tote Ireland yesterday announced they will pay four places only in handicaps with 16 or more runners, writes Brian O’Connor.
The news came on the day the Tote also introduced a new Trifecta bet to replace the existing Trio bet. The Trifecta requires selecting the first three in the correct order and will have a 50 cent unit stake. It will be available on all Irish races with eight or more runners.
The Tote also announced a new central computer system that will begin on Monday which will allow on-course punters the facility to select SP favourites in jackpots and placepots.
Tomorrow’s National Hunt fixture at Downpatrick will be of interest to JP McManus whose George Travis attempts to follow up a course and distance success earlier this month in the handicap chase. Enda Bolger’s charge was a smooth 11 length winner a fortnight ago and a 9lb hike in the ratings doesn’t look like stopping him. Without The Bop should be competitive in the Beginners Chase.
