Former Kildare footballer Willie McCreery is enjoying the best season yet of his fledgling training career and Abbakova can keep the hot streak going in today's Listed feature at Tipperary.
Half a dozen fillies line up for the €40,000 Danehill Dancer Stakes, with Cork-based John Murphy saddling half of them and McCreery two.
Abbakova hasn't munch to spare over Murphy's Dimity on Cork form behind Bye Bye Birdie but that was on very different going and McCreery's juvenile has won over the course and distance since on similar fast-ground conditions.
“It was a good time the last day and the times don’t lie,” the Curragh-based trainer said yesterday. “She’s very relaxed, and getting stronger all the time.”
Pat Smullen gets the leg up on Abbakova and the former champion jockey could also score this afternoon when Sylvan Mist, who stumbled at a crucial time on his last start at Bellewstown, carries topweight in the sprint handicap, while Magnolia Ridge will never get a better chance to break her maiden as in Tipperary's finale.
Bronte broke her maiden on soft going at Roscommon before finding Lightnin' Hopkins too good at Fairyhouse. However, she gets a fast surface for the seven-furlong handicap and that should be right up her street.
First start
The other black-type contest on a busy four-meeting weekend is tomorrow's Belgrave Stakes at Fairyhouse where the Australian Group One-winning sprinter, Sea Siren, has her first start for Aidan O'Brien in the six-furlong Belgrave Stakes.
Sea Siren wasn't disgraced in the Golden Jubilee at Royal Ascot but could be vulnerable on her first Irish start while Russian Soul is due a valuable win on the back of finishing behind Slade Power and Hitchens on his last two starts.
The Ballydoyle hope Kingdom has first-time blinkers in the concluding handicap and can complete a double for Joseph O'Brien who is on board Windsor Pride in the 10-furlong handicap. Via Ballycroy didn't get a clear passage on her start at the Curragh last month but is otherwise progressive and can score again in the six-furlong handicap.
