JOHN OXX is hoping the patient approach pays off with Katiyra in Sunday’s Darley Irish Oaks at the Curragh.
The filly was having only the third start of her life when she ran on well to take third behind Look Here and Moonstone in the Epsom equivalent last month.
And while other beaten horses in the Oaks have been out since, notably Lush Lashes in the Coronation and Michita in the Ribblesdale, Oxx believes the extra couple of weeks’ rest he gave Katiyra will pay dividends.
“We’ve had no complaints with her since Epsom, thankfully everything has gone to plan,” said Oxx.
“We decided to give her a break just to give her a bit more time to strengthen up and she seems very well in herself.
“She didn’t handle Tattenham Corner last time, but when she got herself sorted she ran on well and, for a horse that got beat, we were as happy as we could be.
“The winner (Look Here) looks very good, the form is standing up very well, both the winners of the Ribblesdale and the Coronation have come out of it.
“Even her first run of the season in the Guineas Trial is holding up well.
“This is the time of year that fillies come to themselves so we hope that she can show us we did the right thing by giving her a bit of time off.”
If Oxx does land the Curragh showpiece, it will be an extra special occasion for the trainer who is currently level with his late father, John, with eight Irish Classic successes.
However, Oxx senior will still be one ahead of his son – four – in the number of Oaks-trained winners.
Aidan O’Brien, going for his 13th Group One of the season and his 19th Irish Classic winner, has seven of the 18 runners left in the race, with Epsom runner-up Moonstone, the early favourite, heading up his team.
William Hill have installed her as their 9 to 4 favourite but Cashmans are not being so generous and offer only 6 to 4 about the Epsom runner-up.
Tony Kenny, spokesman for William Hill, commented: “The top five in the betting all look to have outstanding claims in the Irish Oaks. Moonstone’s run in the English Oaks entitles her to favouritism, but it definitely won’t be a stroll in the park for Aidan O’Brien’s charge.”
Jim Bolger opted not to supplement Lush Lashes but can still call on Prima Luce and Ard Fheis for the fillies Classic.
The ground is currently yielding to soft on the straight course and yielding on the round course following two days of dry weather.
Racecourse general manager Paul Hensey said: “We have had a couple nice drying days and while there is some rain forecast for tonight, weather prospects look a lot brighter for later in the week.”
Irish Oaks betting
WILLIAM HILL: 9-4 Moonstone, 3-1 Gagnoa, Katiyra, 4-1 Mad About You, 11-2 Chinese White, 16-1 Adored, 33-1 Gentle On My Mind, Ice Queen, Icon Project, Rosa Grace, 40-1 bar.
CASHMANS: 6-4 Moonstone, 3-1 Katiyra, 6-1 Chinese White, 7-1 Gagnoa, Mad About You, 14-1 Adored, Gentle On My Mind, Prima Luce, Rosa Grace, 20-1 Icon Project, 33-1 bar.
