THERE IS Classic quality throughout the racing world this weekend from Epsom to Big Brown's attempt at triple crown glory in tonight's Belmont Stakes in New York but right at the top of the quality list is likely to be Zarkava in tomorrow's French Oaks at Chantilly.
Jim Bolger sends the Athasi winner Prima Luce (Kevin Manning) for the Prix De Diane along with Aidan O'Brien's Kitty Matcham (Séamus Heffernan) but the €800,000 contest is set to be dominated by Zarkava.
The unbeaten French filly is attempting to follow up an easy win in the French 1,000 Guineas and the Aga Khan's spokeman said yesterday: "We have been lucky to have had Darjina and Mendesha recently, but this one is special."
Heffernan is on Kitty Matcham as Johnny Murtagh will be on board the Andre Fabre-trained Gagnoa who is owned by the Coolmore Stud syndicate.
Murtagh, however, will ride O'Brien's Mount Nelson in the Group Three Prix Equida over a mile on the same card in which Robbie Osborne also runs King Jock.
This evening's Curragh highlight is the Listed Silver Stakes which looks at least a Group Three in all but name and which can provide Winchester with a chance to book his Irish Derby ticket.
Dermot Weld's colt worked noticeably well alongside Derby hopeful Casual Conquest and Chinese White at Leopardstown last week and Pat Shanahan stays on him today.
