Make no mistake put a four length dent into Saffron Walden's reputation in last night's Meld Stakes at the Curragh and in the process probably initiated some nightmares among Australia's training fraternity.
The Cox Plate at Moonee Valley on October 23rd, Australia's most prestigious all-aged race, is part of the inaugural world series of racing and Dermot Weld is eyeing it for Make No Mistake.
Considering Weld's ground breaking exploits with Vintage Crop in the Melbourne Cup, that will be enough to make many Down Under break out in a cold sweat and there was a curious symmetry to Make No Mistake's four length success last night.
"If things go the right way, we'll head for Aussieland," smiled Weld who then nodded to the lad leading his winner around, Vintage Crop's groom Dave Phillips.
"I thought he would win and he had to beat Saffron Walden to warrant us thinking of Australia. We raced in the first two here because Moonee Valley is such a tight track that you need a horse that can lie up," Weld added before declaring: "It's a long way away but it's not undoable."
Whether there can be such a positive outlook for Saffron Walden's York chances is debatable as the Irish Guineas winner was found to be post-race lame on his near fore.
He was a disappointment in the race, coming under pressure under half a mile out and struggling to get by his pacemaker High King. He eventually did but never looked like winning and finished only a length clear of Golden Rule whose next target is the Galway Hurdle!
However, Weld would probably debate whether being beaten by Make No Mistake would warrant disappointment.
"A poor journey and possibly the mile and a half didn't help him in Italy but he was only two lengths behind Daylami in the Tattersalls Gold Cup and I think he'll probably win the King George. We were entitled to win this. We've got a lovely programme now of the Royal Whip and the Irish Champion Stakes before heading for the Cox Plate," said Weld.
Two year old races though rarely bring anything but satisfaction to Aidan O'Brien, even when his first choice is ruled out.
Alex Ferguson's Heritage Hall cried off the Merrion Race with a stone bruise so Michael Kinane promptly switched to the newcomer Royal Kingdom who made all the running to beat Storm Dream by two lengths.
"This is a lovely colt with a lovely pedigree. His dam is a half sister to Blushing Groom and he will step up," said O'Brien who described Heritage Hall's injury as "very minor."
Unusually there appeared to be little confidence behind the Ballydoyle newcomer Moon God in the opener but it was justified as he faded right away behind the John Oxx-trained favourite Somerset. The winner will go next for a Listed race at Cork on Monday week.
Oxx and John Murtagh completed a double in the last when Strategic made an ultra-impressive return to racing in the Connell Race, streaking clear of Pillar Rock in the final furlong.
Curragh permit holder Mary Rose Hayes sent out Sunless to just get the verdict in a thrilling finish to the Ballymany Handicap and in the Newbridge Handicap, Littleton, Co Tipperary-based Joe Murphy secured a snug victory with his own filly Spanish Sal.
Promising juvenile Journalist will race in the colours of Sheikh Maktoum Al Maktoum in the Princess Margaret Stakes at Ascot today. The Barry Hills-trained filly has won her only start so far in good style at Newmarket earlier this month when she ran in the ownership of Mrs Drusilla Thomas.
"Godolphin have paid for her, but I will be keeping the animal until the end of the year - that is what I was told," said Hills. "I don't really know the ins and outs of it, but I think Sheikh Mohammed has bought her and given her to Sheikh Maktoum.
A 90,000 guineas yearling, Journalist is a half-sister to the useful Sheer Viking and her dam is a half-sister to 1,000 Guineas winner Las Meninas - so a good showing by the daughter of Night Shift in today's Group Three contest would boost her already considerable paddock value.
