CORK PREVIEW:THE WORLD'S top-rated thoroughbred Sea The Stars is stepping up preparations for his next start at York in two weeks and in the meantime John Oxx's team can prove they are in good form with a Bank Holiday Monday big race double at Cork.
The Curragh trainer throws two fillies at the Group Three Ladbrokes Give Thanks Stakes and Mick Kinane’s decision to ride Tanoura rather than the classic flop Beauty O’Gwaun looks significant.
With Kalidaha also appearing to hold major claims in the Listed Platinum Stakes, it could turn out to be a very good afternoon for the Oxx-Kinane team who are already anticipating Sea The Stars’ appearance in the Juddmonte International.
“The plan is to run two weeks from Tuesday and he is back in fast work,” Oxx said.
“He did nicely while he was having a slightly easier time of it and physically has done well.
“He cantered every day but there was no fast work there for about three weeks. He is stepping back up now.”
Sea The Stars was confirmed as the world’s highest rated racehorse by international handicappers recently when handed an official rating of 131.
Beauty O’Gwaun was considered a classic contender herself this season but proved to be a huge disappointment in the Irish Oaks last month, being well beaten before the straight and trailing in a tailed off last.
No physical explanation for such a poor effort could be found and not surprisingly Kinane has got off her today in favour of Tanoura.
The Aga Khan’s filly only just failed in the Noblesse Stakes here on her last start over today’s course and distance behind Grace O’Malley despite having dwelt at the start and meeting interference at the two-furlong mark.
Older horses are among her opposition now but the race conditions don’t suit Shreyas, the trip may be against Beach Bunny and ground conditions might not be ideal for Megan’s Star. Perfect Truth is the Ballydoyle number one but this looks like being Tanoura’s day.
Kalidaha steps up to a mile in the Platinum Stakes after running a decent third over seven furlongs in a Group Three at Fairyhouse behind Glowing.
The increase in distance should suit her.
Gladiole did better than anything else against Megan’s Star during that one’s solo-show at Killarney last month and she can be expected to make the most of a low-weight in the mile and a quarter handicap.
The regally bred Purple Heart makes his racecourse debut for Ballydoyle in the seven-furlong maiden at Naas, which fell to Black Bear Island last year, while Oasis Fire looks to be worth another shot in the three-year-old maiden there.
There is an intriguing clash in the apprentice handicap over a mile between Snap and Kilmannin who ran at The Curragh on their last starts.
Snap emerged best by a neck but is 2lb worse off today and a combination of soft ground and an extra furlong should play to Kilmannin’s strengths.
Sher Why Not reverted from fences to win over hurdles at Tipperary on his last run and Colm Murphy’s versatile veteran can successfully complete the follow up in this afternoon’s conditions hurdle.
