Dermot Weld's winning record on four continents is so well documented that it's rather surprising he has recorded just one British classic success with Blue Wind in the 1981 Epsom Oaks. Media Puzzle, however, hasn't been ruled out of a bid to rectify that in Saturday week's Rothmans Doncaster St Leger.
Quality Team has been the Weld-trained horse quoted in the ante-post St Leger betting but if the Curragh trainer is to have a runner in the oldest British classic it is more likely to be Media Puzzle who could only finish third to Katfiykha at the weekend.
Weld returns to Ireland today after watching his filly Theoretically run a fine second to in the Del Mar Oaks in California on Sunday but his son Mark said yesterday: "Media Puzzle ran a good race on Saturday but couldn't get his feet out of the soft ground and blew heavily afterwards.
"Pat (Smullen) still thought he'd win two furlongs down but being by Theatrical, the horse just couldn't pick up in the conditions. If the ground came up fast at Doncaster I certainly wouldn't rule him out of running in the Leger."
That would leave Quality Team, who now races in Michael Smurfit's colours, to run in the Irish St Leger which is sponsored by Smurfit and which was won twice previously by Vintage Crop (1993-94) for the Weld-Smurfit team.
Before that, however, Pine Dance is set to have his last race for Weld when he contests a $300,000 Grade Three race in Philadelphia next Monday. The American Derby winner, who subsequently flopped behind Ciro in the Secretariat Stakes, will continue his career in America and Weld said: "It would be nice if he could redeem himself in next week's race." Theoretically will also continue her career in the USA but put in a notable last effort for Weld when going down by just half a length to the ex-French No Matter What at Del Mar.
Last year's Park Stakes winner came from well back to just go under but jockey Eddie Delahoussaye commented: "She ran good, awful good. She's a real nice filly."
Weld runs one of his lesser lights, Erris, in today's September Handicap at Sligo but those looking for a good bet at the western track should look at Myfavouriteman in the Tatts Race.
This will be the first time the colt has encountered ground worse than good and as a son of College Chapel that can only be to Myfavouriteman's advantage. Nevertheless he ran well enough when third, admittedly beaten by seven lengths and more, when behind Alfina at the Curragh.
Myfavouriteman's trainer Thomond O'Mara has had just two wins on the flat this season so far but he won a hurdle with Island Song at Tralee on Sunday so the Bansha trainer does have his string in form. Add that to the ground factor and Wayne Lordan's 5lb claim and Myfavouriteman looks worth a wager.
The aforementioned Erris hasn't run since May when he looked a slightly unlucky loser behind Willyever at Navan but preference is for Harlenog who surprised more than a few with how well she stayed the seven furlongs on very soft ground at Tralee last week.
The in-form Harry Rogers produced her to win by three lengths from Irish Lady and the undulating course should be no problem to Harlenog, a winner at Galway last year.
Moynoe Princess has been dropped almost a stone from last year and ran a fine race behind Wesbest at Tramore recently. Donie Hassett's runner is worth a look in the Glenman Handicap.
