CURRAGH REPORT:KEVIN PRENDERGAST didn't bother disguising his enthusiasm for the flying two-year-old filly Shimah who made it two wins from two starts up the Curragh in last evening's Saoire Stakes.
Declan McDonogh's mount put three impressive lengths between herself and the runner-up, Chintz, in the Listed feature and set herself up for a Group One attempt on the Phoenix Stakes back at headquarters next month.
"It's on July 27th this year, the day before Galway, whereas usually it's in August. I know the date this time!" grinned the veteran Curragh trainer, who has won the Phoenix three times in the past with Bradawn Breever (1991), Sweet Emma (1982) and Areola (1970.)
"She's about the best I've had for a while. She has plenty of gears and that would do her good because she was dossing at home and getting laid-back," Prendergast added.
Shimah is a half-sister to the Group winners Haatef and Waylayef but the trainer reported: "She'd be the best of them so far. She has a better temperament than the others and is easier to train."
Cashmans saw enough last night to make Shimah a 25 to 1 shot for next year's 1,000 Guineas at Newmarket. The Royal Ascot winner, Cuis Ghaire, is their 6 to 1 market leader.
Jim Bolger and Kevin Manning were coming to terms with the news of New Approach's possible foot problem last evening and their mood can't have been helped by Tomas An Tsioda's disqualification from first in the seven-furlong juvenile maiden.
The Bolger runner just held off the Aidan O'Brien-trained favourite, Rip Van Winkle, by a short head at the line, but Tomas An Tsioda had veered to his left and interfered with the runner-up at the furlong pole which the stewards concluded had improved his placing. Before their verdict, Bolger said of Tomas An Tsioda: "He can only improve and he'll stay well. He'll be back here on Sunday - next year!"
There was a better outcome to the fillies maiden for Bolger as Marina Of Venice ran out an impressive two-length winner to maintain the strike rate of New Approach's sire, Galileo, and it got better for him in the mile handicap with Ard Fheis' second win in three days.
The half-sister to last year's Irish Derby winner, Soldier Of Fortune, successfully carried a 5lb penalty for winning at Naas on Wednesday and overcame running free in the early stages to beat Amarama by a length and a half. "She's hardy and we will probably take the Listed route with her," the well bred filly's trainer said.
Jumbo Rio started a 6 to 1 favourite for the Apprentice Derby and made no mistake under the experienced Pádraig Beggy as he powered clear of Malande.
Tracey Collins's father Con used to make a habit of winning at the Curragh Derby meeting during his long and illustrious career and the tradition continued last night with Lady Schmuck's victory in the sprint handicap.
Mick Hussey drove the filly to a three-parts-of-a-length success over Nanotech and Fly By Magic.
