RACING:THE ONLY blank on John Oxx's home Classics CV remains this Saturday's Abu Dhabi Irish 2,000 Guineas but the legendary trainer is set to try and fill that omission with Born To Sea and Takar.
The Curragh’s first Classic weekend of the year has been good to Oxx in the past with Ridgewood Pearl’s 1,000 Guineas success of 1995.
He has also won the Derby twice with Sinndar (2000) and Alamshar (2003) while there were back-to-back Oaks victories by Ebadiyla (1997) and Winona (1998.)
The Leger has been Oxx’s most successful Irish classic with four wins – Alandi (2009), Kastoria (2006), Petite Ile (1989) and Eurobird (1987), but the 2,000 Guineas has proved frustratingly elusive over the years.
Rayeni was runner-up to Mastercraftsman three years ago, while Azamour was upset by the outsider Bachelor Duke in 2003. Other placed Oxx-trained runners include Massyar, third to Barathea in 1993.
Sea The Stars never took part in an Irish Classic but his half-brother Born To Sea is on course for this Saturday despite a lacklustre effort behind Camelot in the English Guineas earlier in the month.
Oxx is persevering with the colt at a mile and reported: “The race was a bit of a non-event. He pulled too hard, even when the pace increased in the second furlong he still didn’t drop the bit. He basically took off for 3½ furlongs and that was that.”
Takar had a much happier experience on his seasonal debut when lifting the Loughbrown Stakes at headquarters and will carry the Aga Khan’s colours in the race.
“Both colts are in good form and will take their chance in the race,” said Oxx.
The 2000 Guineas has also escaped the net of Jim Bolger and he could be represented by the Dewhurst winner Parish Hall who has yet to appear this year, but remains a possible for the Epsom Derby.
Aidan O’Brien completed a Guineas double at Newmarket and his Classic heroine Homecoming Queen heads his list of possibles for Sunday’s Etihad Airways 1,000 Guineas.
The champion trainer, in contrast to Oxx and Bolger, has dominated the 2,000 with seven wins already in his career, including last year with Roderic O’Connor.
A platoon of Ballydoyle possibles for the opening Classic of 2012 in Ireland includes Power and Wrote who flopped when tried over 10 furlongs in the Derrinstown Trial.
Sunday’s other Group One prize is the Tattersalls Gold Cup where So You Think is due to defend his title.
