An Irish Sort Of Weekend (Early Decs Trackers And Previews)

All eyes will be on the first flat meeting of the season at Doncaster on Saturday but for me looking at the early decs in Ireland over the weekend I know where I would rather be. The first race at Curragh has a few potentially nice horses who could have decent careers ahead of them, I do say could because to be honest a big price tag or nice pedigree means nothing if a horse has a few issues. 

Curragh 13.25

All eyes will be on Kingman filly Finsceal Go Deo here for the trainer who took this race last year Jim Bolger. At this early stage Jim has three here but the nicely bred filly will start her career into the unknown. A 500,000 euro purchase she certainly should have some ability but as I said it's not a given even with a hefty price tag. Dam Finsceal Beo started her career over six furlongs and made a winning debut for Jim Bolger way back in 2006. Finsceal won the English and Irish 1000 guineas in an impressive career. The pick of her offspring was the Aidan O'Brien trained Ol' Man River who won his first two races both at one mile. The pedigree suggests further so I'm interested to see if she has a bit of speed about her. Interesting that Bolger had a couple in this race last year and the l second string won at 16s, he also runs 9000 euro purchase Machnamh in the same ownership and colours of last year's winner. Last of Bolgers trio is National Question, also owned by Mrs Bolger who is a half-brother to Loch Garman, a nice type who needed further. Amo Racing are certainly splashing the cash and in the early decs they run two here, first is New Bay colt Forceful Speed a 260,000 gns purchase and next is Crispy Cat whose price tag certainly rose from a 7500 gns foal to a £105,000 yearling. 

First season sire Sioux Nation is represented by Jessica Harrington's runner Ocean Quest. Last but not least I will mention is the Ger Lyons trained Acclamation colt Midnight Toker who does bring a nice pedigree to the table here. Dam Big Boned was average to say the least for Ed Dunlop. It does make me think about pedigrees to be honest but Big Boned offspring include K Club trained by Richard Hannon who won on debut over five furlongs. Had a couple of wins on soft ground. Next is Back To Brussels who also won on debut over five furlongs on yielding. 

Conclusion: Too many unknown with debutantes and it's something I'm trying to stay clear of now as I'm trying to be sensible and more strict on my betting. If I had to bet it would be on Midnight Toker if I could get an each way price that is. 

I do have a few of my unraced 3yos to follow running over the weekend so a quick mention, as I write this it's only early decs so could well disappear. 

Curragh 14.31 

Aidan O'Brien filly Galleria Borghese is one of my unraced fillies to follow who could make her debut here. Dam On Ice was unraced so not much to go on, second dam Beltisaal produced a few nice types that Aidan trained including Kingsbarns. Another one of my 3yos to follow is the Aidan O'Brien trained Tuesday who is entered here and at 17.00 at Naas on Sunday. The Galileo filly is certainly tipped up by a few shrewd judges after an eye-catching performance at Curragh last June,comes from an excellent family including Minding, Empress Josephine and Kissed By Angels. 

Curragh 15.06 

The second division sees another few of my unraced 3yos to follow Ivy League make her debut. I could be like a deflated balloon after this weekend if these disappoint but to be fair I think it will be more a case of taking a watching brief here. Malex was formally trained by Ralph Beckett and moved stables for owners Amo Racing. Dam Trois Lunes won a Group 3 for trainer Francois Rohaut. Pesso and Wexford Native another couple of trackers worth watching on debut. 

Sunday Naas 17.00 

Tuesday, as I said, has an early entry here. Perotan could make her debut for Aidan O'Brien. The Churchill filly who comes from a nice family. A half-sister to Matterhorn who was a class act for Mark Johnston. Looking forward to the debut of Perotan. 

Thanks for reading.

2yo Unraced Hidden Gems for the Future

As the 2-year-old season draws ever closer to the end I still have a few unraced gems who could be potentially nice types for the backend of the season or with the winter behind them could be worth keeping and eye out for next season. I will mention a few in no particular order.

1: Ralph Beckett has had a few nice 2-year-olds this season including Prosperous Voyage, Angel Bleu and not forgetting Hello You now trained by David Loughnane who is owned by Amo Racing. Ralph Beckett and owners Amo Racing still have a Kodiac colt called MALEX who has yet to set foot on the racecourse but is well-regarded at Kimpton Down Stables. Dam Trois Lunes was a nice type for trainer Francois Rohaut winning a Group 3 at Longchamp back in 2012. 

2: Another trained by Ralph Beckett is DAIQUIRI DREAM and runs in the familiar colours of owner Mr J.C.Smith, I’m pretty certain this Dubawi filly has ability and hopefully will set foot on the racecourse soon. Dam Cocktail Queen was owned by Smith and another who won group races as a 3-year-old in France. Another well-regarded at Kimpton Down Stables. 

3: Been on the radar for a while this one, in fact DENIM SHORTS had an early entry for the Brocklesby way back in March but didn’t run. Trainer George Boughey has been in fine form this season banging in plenty of winners and I’m sure this Ontoawinner Galileo Gold filly was a nice filly who was showing some early speed for George and the team. Not too sure what’s happened to the 11,000 gns purchase so a word of caution when we see her on the track. 

4: Richard Hughes and owners Clarke and Waters have had a few winners in the past including Glendevon, Lady Madison, two I can think of off the top of my head. They have another potentially nice type in the name of ZERO CARBON who is another one I will be keeping an eye out for. Dam Clotilde seemed to improve with age so hopefully with the winter behind the Acclamation colt we will see a nice sort for Richard Hughes. 

5: It wouldn’t be a list without Charlie Appleby 2-year-olds and the next one that could be nice is the Kingman colt KING OF TIME who is a half-brother to the Ed Walker trained Agrotera who won a few nice races including the Snowdrop Listed race back in 2019 at Kempton. 

6: Next Charlie Appleby 2-year-old to look out for is the Ribchester filly PEARL BORDER who is well-thought of by the boys in Blue. Dam Firth Of Lorne has certainly been busy and produced a couple of nice types for Charlie already including Master Of The Seas who won his first two races as a 2-year-old and withdrawn in the Breeders Cup Mile on Saturday. Pearl Border is a half-sister to Latharnach who also ran to a decent level for Appleby. Nice pedigree this one and one I’m keen on seeing when making her racecourse debut. 

7: Next one for Charlie Appleby has an early entry for Kempton on Wednesday. MAKKARI I imagine will be all the rage for this so it could be time to just watch and see if the hype is right. Dam Sobetsu was a high class filly for Charlie winning a couple of group races in Deauville back in 2017. Makkari has been giving the right signals at home but the Galileo filly needs to produce it on the track to show how good she is. 

8: PURE DIGNITY could be special for the Roger Varian team and another who can’t wait to see it hit the racecourse. A half-sister to multiple group winner Sottsass who has gone from strength to strength and won the L’arc De Triomphe in October. I really hope Pure Dignity is an exciting prospect for the Varian team. 

Time is getting on so I will add a few more below with no write-ups. 

PRINCESS OLLY, Richard Hannon and Amo Racing. 

TASHKENT, Richard Hannon and Al Shaqab Racing. 

Thanks for reading and good luck.

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