RACING: Vinnie Roe might be the most high-profile Group One hope for Dermot Weld at York next week, but the Curragh trainer is also set to take his chance at the top level in the Coronation Stakes on Friday week.
Utterly Heaven put in significant improvement to run a fine fourth behind Saoire in the Irish 1,000 Guineas, and Weld is hoping the Moyglare Stud-owned filly is still on the up.
"She is definitely a possible for the Coronation, but we have yet to finalise what else we will send. I want to wait towards the end of the week and see how the ground at York is developing," he said last night.
Vinnie Roe remains on course for the Gold Cup on Thursday, while another Weld-trained possible for a long-distance race is Helvetio, who holds an entry in the Queen's Vase.
Jim Bolger confirmed yesterday that his Epsom Oaks third, Pictavia, will skip Royal Ascot at York and instead wait for the Darley Irish Oaks.
Pictavia appeared slightly unlucky at Epsom, and Bolger said: "Kevin (Manning) reported she didn't handle the track and never got going until a furlong and a half from home and the race was over at that stage. Under more suitable conditions she is capable of doing herself justice in a fillies classic."
Bolger has won the Irish Oaks twice with Give Thanks in 1983 and Margarula in 2002.
Tropical Lady is a possible to travel to York after her last run behind Hazariya in a Listed race at Gowran. The Group Two Windsor Forest Stakes is a possible cross-sea option.
"She has come out of the race well but was a little quiet for a while. We're playing it by ear at the moment," Bolger added.
Other York news concerned the smart two-year-old Waterways, who is likely to start in the Queen Mary Stakes rather than the Albany Stakes.
The latter race was outlined as a possible target after Waterways ran a fine race when runner-up to Rumplestiltskin in the Swordlestown Stud Stakes at Naas last Monday.
There isn't a hotter trainer in the country at the moment than Harry Rogers, and the Ardee, Co Louth, handler can keep the run going with Fontanally Springs in this evening's sprint handicap at Tipperary.
Moon Unit's Stakes win at Naas on Monday was the centrepiece of a first career treble for Rogers, and in the circumstances it was easy to overlook the good run that Fontanally Springs put in just four and a half lengths behind her stable companion.
For an 83-rated horse it was a fine effort, and a repeat of that would see her with a big shout against the likes of the Navan-winner Sister Sox and the course and distance winner Beleinga.
Most of the Ballydoyle two- year-olds have improved significantly for a run this season and Rol'over Beethoven will be a threat to all in the seven furlong maiden if following that pattern. There should be significantly better to come for that debut third to Sapphire Stone.
Kova Hall may be worth another chance in the first nine furlong handicap.
