RACING:IT'S ANOTHER busy weekend on the international front for Ballydoyle and Aidan O'Brien, who hit the jackpot last weekend both at home and in France with two Group One victories with Excelebration (Prix Jacques le Marois) and Pedro The Great (Keeneland Phoenix Stakes).
O’Brien will have runners overseas this weekend with Parliament Square and George Vancouver heading to Deauville tomorrow to compete in the Prix Morny, but the stable may have better luck in Chicago tonight in the Arlington Million. O’Brien struck gold in the Grade One race 12 months ago with Cape Blanco, and tonight relies upon the globetrotting Treasure Beach, winner of last year’s Irish Derby.
The Galileo colt had his first run back in Ireland since that Classic success when fourth in the Ballyroan Stakes earlier this month.
Luca Cumani has high hopes Afsare can give the Newmarket trainer a second success in the big race after Tolomeo’s win in 1983.
Afsare was last seen going down narrowly to Sri Putra at York, and in May was beaten just under three lengths by Crackerjack King in an Italian Group One.
He renews rivalry with the latter, who is now trained by another Newmarket-based Italian in Marco Botti, a former assistant of Cumani. Crackerjack King has had just one run since switching to Botti, finishing a creditable fifth to Nathaniel in the Coral-Eclipse at Sandown.
Wigmore Hall, a close fourth to Cape Blanco 12 months ago, tries again for Michael Bell and Hayley Turner.
There is also further European interest in the shape of the John Gosden-trained Colombian. Gosden is another with fond memories of the race, having won it with the William Buick-ridden Debussy two years ago.
On a strong card, Botti saddles Jakkalberry in the first staging of the American St Leger. The six-year-old was an excellent third to Cirrus Des Aigles in the Sheema Classic in Dubai and was not disgraced when fifth behind Sea Moon in the Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot.
Treasure Beach won last year’s Secretariat Stakes and O’Brien is represented this time through Daddy Long Legs, who has not run since finishing fourth to stablemate Power in the Irish 2,000 Guineas.
O’Brien will be seeking his third win in the 10-furlong turf contest, having also been victorious with Ciro under Mick Kinane in 2000.
Preceding the Million is the fillies’ equivalent, the Beverly D Stakes. O’Brien saddles French 1,000 Guineas second Up, Gosden sends out Windsor Forest Stakes heroine Joviality, and Turner partners I’m A Dreamer for David Simcock.
Meanwhile, the Turf Club have announced a change to the rules regarding the declaration of headgear. At present, the only option available to trainers when declaring headgear is to declare blinkers or sheepskin cheekpieces.
Blinkers also currently covers visors, hoods, pacifiers and eye-shields, but the Stewards of the Governing Bodies have approved a change.
When the new rules become operational, trainers will be required to declare the exact type of headgear or combinations of headgear that will be used.
Yesterday’s meeting at Tramore was cancelled due to a waterlogged track, while today’s fixture is subject to an 8am inspection.
