RACING FAIRYHOUSE PREVIEW:DERMOT WELD goes to Hollywood on Sunday where Rare Ransom has a $700,000 (€490,000) Grade One target in her sights, but the trainer can also pick up a valuable Group Three prize at Fairyhouse this evening with Luminous Eyes.
On the back of a good fourth to Again in the Irish 1,000 Guineas, Rare Ransom is set to run in the American Oaks on Sunday night, a race Weld won six years ago with Dimitrova, who had finished third in the Curragh Classic on her previous start.
Another European traveller to Hollywood Park on Sunday will be the Henry Cecil-trained Apple Charlotte who was runner-up on her last appearance at Newbury.
A dozen fillies line up for this evening’s Fairyhouse highlight including the Aidan O’Brien-trained Heart Shaped who followed a fourth in the English Guineas with a sixth to Ghanaati in the Coronation Stakes.
The Ballydoyle representative loves to hear her feet rattle but while ground conditions at Fairyhouse yesterday were quick, a forecast of heavy overnight rain could turn the going against Heart Shaped. Any ease would suit Chantilly Tiffany, fourth in the Windsor Forest at Royal Ascot, who represents Ed Dunlop whose younger brother, Harry, is also represented by Festoso.
“We were thrilled with her run at Ascot and this race is a logical step. Hopefully the ground will be okay. It’s a tough race,” Ed Dunlop said yesterday.
Whatever the conditions there shouldn’t be too much problem with Luminous Eyes coping. The Weld filly won a Group Three on good ground last year and broke her maiden on heavy at Roscommon. The chestnut filly was quietly fancied to run well better than 10th in the Irish 1,000 Guineas but it was her first start of the season and she didn’t look like she had fully come in her coat.
Luminous Eyes can be a different proposition now.
Today’s other black-type action is the Listed Golden Fleece Stakes where five line up. That could work in Perfect Symmetry’s favour. The Ger Lyons-trained horse broke his maiden at the third time of asking and Montecchio has boosted the form since.
The Lyons-Keegan Latham combination will also fancy their chances in the opening Irish Stallion 2-Y-O Maiden with Bankrobber who was runner-up over the course and distance on his last start. Premier Rouge didn’t get a fully clear passage on his last visit to Fairyhouse and looks worth another shout in the second mile-and-a-quarter handicap.
