RACING YOUR PREVIEW:THE CLASH of old rivals Midday and Sariska and this year's dual-classic heroine Snow Fairy may be the feature at York this afternoon but Curragh trainer John Oxx is also back on familiar hunting ground with Zarebiya.
Oxx tasted Group One glory with Sea The Stars on the Knavesmire last season but he possesses an enviable record in the Galtres Stakes having won it three times in the last five years.
Zarebiya attempts to follow in the footsteps of Tarakala (2004), Kastoria (2005) and Tanoura last year and she is joined by Dermot Weld’s Sense Of Purpose in the mile and a half Listed event.
Both Irish fillies clashed in a Group Three at Cork last time when Zarebiya’s inexperience was overlooked and she started a warm favourite when third behind She’s Our Mark.
The Oxx filly was not helped by the runner-up, Leo Gali, wandering slightly in the closing stages but still had three lengths in hand on Sense Of Purpose who was fourth.
Zarebiya, who teams up with Jamie Spencer for the first time, is clearly highly regarded at home and should progress with time. That factor could swing things her way against a strong field that includes the Ribblesdale runner -up Eldalil who finished out of the money in the Irish Oaks.
Aidan O’Brien is represented by two juveniles this afternoon, the narrow Tipperary winner Tom Sawyer in the valuable DBS Yearling Stakes, and the Naas victor Queen Of Spain who takes on the Queen Mary winner Maqaasid in the Group Two Lowther Stakes.
However the Darley Yorkshire Oaks is the Group One highlight with this season’s dual-Oaks winner Snow Fairy tackling the top older fillies, Midday and Sariska.
Midday landed the Nassau Stakes in impressive style on her last start but remains without a win against Sariska who beat her in last year’s Epsom Oaks and in the Middleton Stakes at York earlier this season.
If the ground continues to dry out then that will not be to Sariska’s advantage but the impression remains that Midday’s optimum trip might be ten furlongs rather than a mile and a half.
Sariska’s trainer Michael Bell said yesterday: “It’s going to be a great race and one for the purists. When we and Midday meet on a level playing field, as we did in the Oaks at Epsom last year, there is only a head between us. And she is obviously on her game having won the Nassau.”
Midday’s jockey Tom Queally commented: “Snow Fairy has done everything right so far but I see Sariska as the biggest danger. I know my filly is in great nick and I was really impressed with her at Goodwood.”
This afternoon’s race is perfectly set up as a clash of the generations with four older horses taking on the same number of three-year-olds and those looking for an each-way value option could consider Hibaayeb.
Godolphin’s Ribblesdale winner finished last, 50 lengths behind Snow Fairy in the Irish Oaks, and then disappointed badly in Germany. Soft ground is a no-no for Hibaayeb, as she proved in those last two starts, but on a decent surface she is a proven Group One winner and the stable are in flying form.
Hibaayeb’s trainer Saeed Bin Suroor said: “She will only run if the ground is right but had a nice blow out on Tuesday. She had a bad draw and the ground was too soft in Germany.” Godolphin are also represented by the Pretty Polly runner-up Flying Cloud.
HAMSTEAD HEATH A MAJOR THREAT
HAMPSTEAD HEATH refused to start in the Galway Plate but if David Marnane’s grey is in a better mood this evening then he should be a major player in the €30,000 Killarney feature, writes Brian O’Connor.
Barry Geraghty’s mount is one of 13 lining up for the big handicap chase and boasts winning form from earlier in the summer over the course.
Geraghty could also hit the mark in the Beginners Chase on board Coast while the Galway winner Novel Investment may be a value option against the in-form Impersonator.
