2016 Irish Oaks: Runner profiles for all dozen entries in Curragh Classic
Published:
David Metcalf | July 14, 2016
Spotlight on the 12 Irish Oaks runners
The Group 1 Irish Oaks takes centre stage on a cracking card at The Curragh on Saturday (19:45), and Even Song is currently odds-on to provide trainer Aidan O’Brien with a fifth success in the race.
Coral’s horse racing experts profiles the 12 runners left in this year’s renewal of the 1m 4f fillies’ Classic following today’s 48-hour declaration stage.
Ajman Princess
Trainer: Roger Varian
Form: 2222
Well-bred daughter of Teofilo who has finished runner-up in all four starts. Has shown progressive for in each outing and ran a blinder when a staying on to be beaten 1 1/2 lengths by Even Song in the Group 2 Ribblesdsale Stakes at Ascot last time out.
Trainer believes Ajman Princess is progressing at a rate of knots, and owner Sheikh Mohammed agreed to pay the €40k fee to supplement her for this. Should have more to offer and effective on all types of going.
An Cailin Orga
Trainer: Jim Bolger
Form: 7216
Came good at the third time of asking when landing a maiden at Leopardstown before finishing just sixth in a handicap at this venue. In the race as a pacemaker for stable companion Turrets Rocks. Zero chance on form.
Architecture
Trainer: Hugo Palmer
Form: 31-228
Ran a stormer when chasing home the brilliant Minding in the Investec Oaks at Epsom, and that is arguably the best form in the line-up.
Disappointed when pulling too hard and finishing just eighth to Even Song in the Ribblesdale at Ascot 13 days later, but that may well have come to quickly following such a tough race and it would be no surprise to see her bounce back following a break.
Remains open to further improvement, has the assistance of Frankie Dettori in the saddle, and Architecture hails from a yard that saddled Covert Love to win the race 12 months ago.
Even Song
Trainer: Aidan O’Brien
Form: 31-31
Ran an eye-catching race on seasonal reappearance when staying on third in the Listed Pretty Polly Stakes over 1m 2f at Newmarket, after encountering trouble in-running before landing the 1m 4f Ribblesdale at Royal Ascot in impressive fashion.
Travelled strongly in the latter before staying on powerfully to score by 1 1/2 lengths from Ajman Princess.
Remains unexposed after just four starts, is clearly on a serious upward curve, and hails from a yard that has a good record in the race with O’Brien enjoying terrific season. Even Song is the one to beat.
Harlequeen
Trainer: Mick Channon
Form: 1-243
Made a winning debut at Goodwood on her sole start as a juvenile and has shown steadily progressive form in three runs this season.
Ran well when fourth to So Mi Dar in the Group 2 Musidora at York and was far from disgraced when keeping on to finish a 9 3/4 length third to Minding in the Investec Oaks.
Has work to do with Architecture who finished runner-up in that contest, but Harlequeen is going the right way and looks a lively outsider.
Pretty Perfect
Trainer: Aidan O’Brien
Form: 51-1291
Has won three of her six starts and comes into the race on the back of a career-best effort when landing a Group 3 at Cork by four lengths. However, that form doesn’t look strong and will need to step up significantly to trouble the Irish Oaks principals.
Red Stars
Trainer: John Oxx
Form: 415-541
Showed a good attitude when digging deep to land a Listed contest at Roscommon when last seen in action, but looks out of her depth in this line-up and has a mountain to climb on official ratings.
Seventh Heaven
Trainer: Aidan O’Brien
Form: 74-116
Won her first two starts this season in good style, beating Architecture by a neck in a Listed contest at Lingfield in the last of those.
Could never get competitive when a 33 length sixth to Minding in the Investec Oaks and major bounce back required to see her get involved in this.
Somehow
Trainer: Aidan O’Brien
Form: 3-114
Has won two of her four starts and looked a smart prospect when showing a good attitude and turn of foot to land the Cheshire Oaks at Chester.
Beaten 24 lengths when finishing fourth in the Investec Oaks on her latest start at Epsom, merely plugging on at the one pace after leading until being headed at the two marker. Much more needed.
Turret Rocks
Trainer: Jim Bolger
Form: 3412-67
Has some very smart form as a juvenile, and ran well when sixth of 16 to Minding in the English 1,000 Guineas. Failed to build on that effort when a 52 length sixth to that rival in the Investec Oaks and is hard to support on the back of that effort.
However, does hail from a shrewd yard that know what is required to win Classic races and now gets fitted with the tongue-tie for the first time. Not one to give up on just yet and Turret Rocks could outrun her odds.
Way To My Heart
Trainer: Joseph O’Brien
Form: 279-377
Yet to win in seven starts and finished last in a handicap at Navan when last seen in action. Totally out of her depth and merely making up the numbers.
We Are Ninety
Trainer: Hugo Palmer
Form: 1-1316
Likeable filly who has improved with every run this season, winning twice, and was far from disgraced when weakening late on to finish a 3 1/4 length sixth to Even Song in the Ribblesdale.
There may well still be better to come, but Palmer’s stable looks to have a stronger candidate in the shape of Architecture.
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