RACING: Alexander Tango is already a classic hopeful for next year and could have just the second start of her career at Leopardstown on Saturday evening in the Group Two Robert H Griffin Debutante Stakes.
The Tommy Stack-trained filly, a 33 to 1 shot for next season's 1,000 Guineas with Cashmans after a very impressive debut at the Curragh over the Oaks weekend, is one of 20 hopefuls left in the seven-furlong feature. Watering will begin at Leopardstown today and although the ground at the Dublin track is currently firm, that is less of a concern for Alexander Tango's connections than the proximity to her last race.
"It will mean only two weeks since her debut and we will have to decide later in the week if she is ready to run again so quickly," said Stack's son Fozzie yesterday.
"She does seem to have come out of the race well and it's possible we could run her at the weekend before looking at the Moyglare."
The Debutante has an outstanding record as a trial for the Moyglare which is Ireland's main race for juvenile fillies and David Wachman's four entries for the weekend include the dual course winner Chanting who landed the Silver Flash Stakes in impressive fashion last week.
A total of five British-trained hopefuls remain in, but Aidan O'Brien's three entries, who include the unraced Nell Gwyn, a full sister to the champion miler Rock Of Gibraltar, are unlikely to take up the option.
Instead the champion trainer is more likely to have a runner in the Group Three Meld Stakes over 10 furlongs where Ace is one of six Ballydoyle entries. "Ace could possibly run but he is only a possible. The Arlington Million is also a race we have in mind for him next month," he said.
O'Brien also reported yesterday that last year's St Leger hero Scorpion is back in work after recovering from the problems that have prevented him running so far in 2006. However, a return date is still some way off and no race has been pinpointed for the Montjeu colt whose other Group One success last year came in the Grand Prix de Paris.
O'Brien has both Race For The Stars and Queen Cleopatra remaining in Sunday's Group One Prix d'Astarte at Deauville but the indications yesterday were that neither filly would travel to Normandy for the race.
Another preliminary Irish entry for the French weekend feature is Jim Bolger's Modeeroch but she also features among the eight runners left in Saturday's Sweet Mimosa Stakes at Leopardstown.
Bolger also has a significant entry in the Listed Korea Racing Association Tyros Stakes for his highly-rated Curragh winner Teofilio. Also in the 19-strong list of possibles are the Anglesey winner Regional Counsel and Sunday's impressive seven length Tipperary winner Vorteeva for John Oxx.
Dermot Weld has the Gowran winner Blackberry Boy in the Tyros but one horse the Curragh maestro doesn't train any more is the 2004 Irish Derby winner Grey Swallow who has been sold to continue his career in Australia.
The double-Group One winning grey has been bought by Wadham Park, a new racing and breeding operation, based in Queensland and Victoria, for a reported figure of over Aus$4 million. He will run in October's WS Cox Plate at Moonee Valley in Melbourne before beginning a stud career next year. Grey Swallow will be trained by Dale Sutton but he is currently in quarantine after travelling to Australia from the US last week.
This evening's home action is at Ballinrobe where the champion jumps jockey Ruby Walsh looks to have the winning of the maiden hurdle on board Sweet Memories. This will be the horse's fourth start over obstacles and after a run on the flat last month, Sweet Memories then ran second to Assium at Down Royal. In a poor race, a slight improvement on that run could well be good enough.
Barry Geraghty will be the man in charge of Wide As Thunder in the second division of the handicap hurdle and there was some merit in this one's close second to Irish Blade at Fairyhouse last month. Walsh is on Kniaz for Tony Martin in the handicap chase but only one run in 10 months could well catch out the topweight which might leave in Mattys Joy.
