JOHN OXX'S classic prospect Red Eye Express is set to have just the second start of his career at Dundalk tomorrow night and depending on how he gets on there is then likely to be prepared for next month's Irish 2,000 Guineas at the Curragh.
Red Eye Express is currently a 40 to 1 shot in many ante-post lists for the Newmarket Guineas but is unlikely to take his chance there as Oxx is determined not to rush the colt.
"If we were to think in terms of Newmarket he would have had to run in those Guineas trials at Leopardstown a couple of weeks ago where we could have found out where we stood with him. But the ground was unsuitable so we chose to wait.
"He was in the Craven as well but we didn't want to go abroad for his first start of the season so he will run in a winners race at Dundalk instead. That will give us the opportunity to evaluate him more," the Curragh trainer said yesterday.
Red Eye Express won his only start at Cork last October in impressive style and is highly regarded in the Oxx camp.
"We do like him and he has a chance. But we can't be sure of how good he is. The Craven looks a tough race and Dundalk looks a more realistic option at this stage. Depending on how he does there we will look at preparing him for the Irish Guineas," Oxx added.
The 2,000 Guineas is the sole Irish classic that Oxx has yet to win but, according to bookmaker ante-post lists, the former champion trainer's best classic prospect this year will be the filly Katiyra who is as low as 16 to 1 with Paddy Power for the Epsom Oaks.
"She will have a run sometime in May. The Athasi will probably come a bit soon so if she is really pleasing us she might run first time up in the Irish 1,000 Guineas," he said.
"The Oaks is something we have in our minds. Her pedigree says she either will stay or she won't but she does look promising."
Another Oaks entry, Masiyma, is also due to run at Dundalk tomorrow night while the Ridgewood Pearl Stakes is a probable kick off for last year's 1,000 Guineas runner-up Arch Swing whose main early season target is likely to be the 10-furlong Tattersalls Gold Cup.
With Tipperary failing a course inspection yesterday morning, Dundalk has the stage to itself tonight and Oxx runs one of his Epsom Derby entries, Hanoverian Baron, in the seven-furlong maiden.
Michael Kinane's mount is a general 50 to 1 shot in ante-post betting for Epsom and he will need to win pretty impressively today if such odds aren't to appear ludicrous.
Purely in the Dundalk context though the omens are good since the Oxx team had a perfect three winners from three runners spin here six days ago.
A return to the all-weather should also be ideal for Dermot Weld's Bravely Fought who won his maiden over the course and distance of today's mile handicap. Since then he has run on heavy ground on the Curragh where Badger Or Bust reversed form on going the Weld runner hated. The blinkered Bravely Fought should find these conditions much more suitable.
Last year's Irish 1,000 Guineas runner up Dimenticata looks to have an ideal opportunity in the mile fillies race while Pat Smullen can also score in the last on board the high-class hurdling mare Megans Joy.
