PLANS ARE fluid as to where the Irish 1,000 Guineas heroine Again will run next but her trainer, David Wachman, hasn’t ruled out an attempt at another Curragh Classic.
Sunday week’s Irish Oaks is a “possibility” for Again and that would mean a hike in trip from the mile of Royal Ascot’s Coronation Stakes in which she finished a disappointing seventh behind Ghanaati last month.
“She has seemed okay since. From the time the stalls opened at Ascot she never raised a gallop,” Wachman said yesterday.
“We will have to see how she is, see how she works and then I’ll talk to the owners. The Irish Oaks is a possibility.”
One horse definitely heading to the Curragh is the Epsom Oaks winner Sariska whose trainer, Michael Bell, issued an upbeat report yesterday.
“She is heading for the Irish Oaks and looks marvellous,” he said. “The plan is Ireland, then the Yorkshire Oaks and then we’ll see.”
Again also figured yesterday among 41 entries for the Doncaster St Leger in which Aidan O’Brien has 14 hopefuls. The Irish Derby winner Fame And Glory isn’t among them but the Curragh runner-up, Golden Sword, has been installed a 4 to 1 ante-post favourite with some firms.
Bushranger was another David Wachman-trained Group One star who failed to fire at Royal Ascot in the Golden Jubilee Stakes and although he has a July Cup entry, there are no firm plans for last year’s Prix Monry and Middle Park Stakes winner.
Three days of racing begin at Bellewstown this evening where champion jockey Ruby Walsh is a welcome visitor for two rides. The rider has been out of action since a fall at Killarney on May 10th.
Although he had his cast removed a couple of weeks ago, it has been a quiet period for jumps racing here. His rides include the Tipperary winner Dual Gales who should relish quick ground in the conditions hurdle.
Dermot Weld will be hoping that April can secure a valuable winning bracket in the five-furlong maiden. The trip shouldn’t be a problem for a daughter of Agnetha but she could be vulnerable to Bridal Dance if that filly can improve slightly from her fifth to Samba School at Limerick.
Nina Carberry partners Dumitas in the bumper and that one’s fourth to Glenlo Abbey at Gowran last February looks interesting.
