THE 1,000 Guineas winner Blue Bunting has always been regarded as a mile-and-a-half-filly by connections, but after finishing fourth as favourite in the Investec Oaks she still has plenty to prove when she tackles the trip again in Sunday’s Darley Irish Oaks.
Trainer Mahmood Al Zarooni said on Saturday he believes the filly, who is 9-2 third-favourite for the Irish Classic, was unfortunate on Epsom Downs.
Tagging the unique track and lack of pace as the key factors which went against his filly, Al Zarooni declared his charge was in prime shape to improve on her last showing, saying she was “stronger, better and more relaxed”.
She will need to be, as she faces two of the three who finished in front of her at Epsom. The Aidan O’Brien-trained Wonder Of Wonders, second in the Oaks, and Dancing Rain, Oaks winner, are both set to face the Godolphin filly again on the Curragh.
Wonder Of Wonders leads the betting at 11-10 despite her narrow defeat by Dancing Rain, who is 4-1 next best, just ahead of Blue Bunting in the betting.
Al Zarooni said: “Blue Bunting was unlucky at Epsom Downs and everything went against her – she didn’t enjoy the track and the pace was very slow. Mile and a half fillies always come from behind and they prefer a fast pace.
“We have tried to freshen her upsince then and she has been doing really well – her last piece of work on Sunday was very pleasing. She’s stronger, better and more relaxed now.
“We always thought she had ability, but reckoned she was a mile and a half filly before she won the Guineas. The strong pace really helped her there [at Newmarket] and she stayed on.”
Speaking to Godolphin’s website, Al Zarooni added: “I think she likes fast ground but it was soft ground when she won her maiden, so she won’t mind the going.”
The ground at the Curragh underwent three changes in official description on Saturday, ending up as “yielding” on both the round and straight courses afterthe second race on the card.
Further heavy showers are forecast for Saturday night, clerk of the course Brendan Sheridan said.
“The ground will definitely be slower tomorrow, if the forecast is right, but if we avoid most of the showers it should dry out a bit,” he added.
A fresh strip of ground will be used for the Irish Oaks.
Similar Posts:
- Magic Meandre gives Fabre 11th Grand Prix
- Green Destiny out for more success in Mile
- Dubawi Gold favourite for 2011 Irish Guineas
- Dubawi Gold favourite for 2011 Irish Guineas
- Workforce will ‘really need’ run at Sandown
