ALBIGNA READY TO BE ALPHA
Filly to follow Centauri footsteps
TWO years on from her classic breakthrough with Alpha Centauri in this race, the Jessica Harrington-trained Albigna must be strongly-fancied to land today’s Tattersalls Irish 1,000 Guineas.
The Zoffany filly, like Alpha Centauri is owned by the Niarchos family, boasts the best juvenile form, including a Group 1 victory in the Marcel Boussac at Longchamp, has been pleasing connections in her recent work and, with no worries about her stamina, she must have a great chance of giving both her trainer and stable-jockey Shane Foley (successful on Jet Setting in 2016) a second victory in this fillies’ classic.
Winner of her maiden and the Group 2 Airlie Stud
Stakes at the Curragh,
Albigna flopped in the Moyglare last September, finishing sixth behind impressive English Guineas heroine Love.
She was later reported to have been in season and put that effort behind her when going to Longchamp on Arc day and powering home to beat Marieta comfortably.
A trip to California for the Breeders Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf followed. And, although not enjoying a clear passage through the race, she managed to finish a creditable fourth behind Sharing.
Albigna usually travels well, hits a flat-spot and comes home well. So she’ll probably arrive late on the scene today. But, with luck in running, she should prove tough to beat.
Fourteen fillies stand between Albigna and classic glory, among them two fascinating contenders carrying the hopes of Aidan O’brien.
Seamus Heffernan will be on board Peaceful, runaway winner of a Thurles maiden before failing narrowly to Born With Pride in a listed event in Newmarket last autumn.
Wayne Lordan’s mount So Wonderful makes more appeal, however, on her fourth to Alpine Star in the Debutante and an excellent third behind Love in the Moyglare – when in-season Albigna was behind. Ger Lyons runs three, with stable-jockey Colin Keane set to ride once-raced maiden Roca Roma, runner-up to Amma Grace at Leopardstown last October. Highly-tried, 106-rated maiden Soul Search also has prospects on her Debutante and Moyglare form while Even So, the mount of Chis Hayes, might outrun her odds.
Of the others, Michael Halford’s, inset, Leopardstown maiden winner Ridenza merits respect.
Globe-trotter Magic Wand, runner-up to Magical in the Qipco Irish Champion Stakes before embarking on her worldwide travels, reappears in the Group 2 Lanwades Stud Stakes and, fitness permitting, should outclass her six rivals.