TOP-FLIGHT Irish racing interest will range from Los Angeles to Paris tomorrow and champion jockey Pat Smullen travels to Hollywood Park to team up with Rare Ransom in the €500,000 American Oaks.
The Dermot Weld-trained filly is one of three overseas runners taking part in what will be the eighth, and possibly final, renewal of the 10-furlong Grade One event.
Hollywood Park has been a happy hunting ground for Smullen, having scored in the 2002 Matriarch Stakes aboard Dress To Thrill. But the track is in danger of being demolished for housing development.
Weld also won a Grade Two at Hollywood in 2006 with Grey Swallow, and he has told local reporters in LA that he is hopeful of Rare Ransom adding to his 2003 victory in the American Oaks with Dimitrova.
“She compares very favourably with Dimitrova. She comes off a fourth in the Irish 1,000 Guineas and Dimitrova finished third in the same race. Rare Ransom is an adaptable filly and has shipped well,” Weld said. “She has matured well from two to three and I think the best is yet to come with this filly,” he added.
Ranged against Rare Ransom will be 13 opponents, including Henry Cecil’s Apple Charlotte and a New Zealand challenger in Puttanesca. The US team is headed by Gozzip Girl and Well Monied.
Before that, Westphalia will attempt to make his fourth trip to France this year pay off with a Group One win in the €400,000 Prix Jean Prat over a mile.
Placed third in both the French Derby and French 2,000 Guineas on his last two starts, Westphalia is scheduled to face eight opponents in the Chantilly highlight and will be ridden by Jimmy Fortune.
The Aidan O’Brien-trained colt faces the St James’s Palace Stakes third Lord Shanakill and Olivier Peslier’s mount Feels All Right, who drops back to a mile after a disappointing run in the French Derby.
Ruby Walsh has wasted no time getting back into the winning swing after recovering from a broken ankle, and significantly he is on board Red Vinto in tomorrow’s novice chase at Limerick.
An impressive winner at Kilbeggan on his debut over fences, the Willie Mullins-trained runner looks to have Decoy Daddy to beat.
Those waiting for the concluding bumper at Sligo could be rewarded by Clarach.
