Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Kings can come of Age after promising debut
NAAS RUNNER-UP TO GO ONE BETTER FOR AIDAN
IN the two-year-old colts’ maiden at Navan today, Ballydoyle colt Age Of Kings sets the standard following his narrow defeat, at the hands of Shartash, in Naas three weeks ago.
The Kingman colt did a lot wrong that day, both going to the start and in the race, including swishing his tail and wandering.
If those traits were caused by inexperience, she should take a significant step forward today.
If there was more to it, the likes of Wodao, not beaten far by The Antarctic twice, and
Borletti, will be poised to take advantage.
Making a quick reappearance, following a hugely encouraging debut effort at the Curragh last Sunday, Olivia Maralda should score for Michael O’callaghan, Amo Racing and Brazilian footballer Philippe Coutinho in today’s opener in Navan.
The Kodiac filly, bought for 460,000 Guineas at the Breeze-up Sale ion Newmarket last month, brought a tall reputation to the Curragh last week, was sent off 2/1 favourite for a traditionally red-hot fillies maiden and ran a race full of promise for Rossa Ryan, going down by a half-length to the Ger Lyons-trained Zarinsk, with highly-regarded Ballydoyle filly Never Ending Story a close third.
The leading trio struck me as potentially high-class fillies, with the placed pair looking like certain maiden winners in the coming weeks before stepping-up in class.
It’s surprising that O’callaghan is bringing Olivia Maralda out again so soon.
But, presumably, she’s running today to gain more valuable experience before heading for Royal Ascot.
With the Curragh experience under her belt, and with stable-jockey Leigh Roche taking over in the saddle, Olivia should be very tough to beat here.
The opposition includes two fascinating Justify fillies from Ballydoyle, Statuette and Unless, with Ryan Moore, who will ride Above The Curve for Joseph in the Group 1 Prix Saint-alaray in Longchamp on Sunday, declared to partner Statuette.
But Unless, first foal of Cheveley Park winner Clemmie, caught my eye on a visit to Ballydoyle this spring and is well-regarded and I’ll be watching her closely both today and in the future.