MIND’S EYE ON CHAMP
MINDING, the best three-year-old filly in Europe, looks set to take on the boys for the first time in the Qipco Irish Champion Stakes on September 10.
Winner of four Group Ones this term, including the Qipco 1,000 Guineas and Investec Oaks, Minding has little to prove against her gender. And so to go up against the best three-year-old colts and older horses in the mile and a quarter event would set up a mouth-watering contest.
“She’ll run in either the Matron or the Champion Stakes,” said the filly’s trainer Aidan O’Brien. “The lads (owners) will make the decision closer the time, but it’s very possible she’ll go to the Champion Stakes.
“We’re very happy with her. She’s had a nice bit of time since her last run.
“Her work is very good and physically she’s doing very well.”
If all go to post, Minding would line up against dual Derby winner Harzand and Almanzor, the winner of the French Derby, as well as the older generation in her stable companion Found and ® Tattersalls Gold Cup victor Fascinating Rock.
Following support yesterday, the daughter of Galileo is 2-1 favourite with Coral from 5-2, with Derby winners Almanzor and Harzand 11-4 joint second favourites, ahead of Fascinating Rock and Found, who are both 5-1.
O’Brien has his top juvenile, Churchill, geared up for the Group One Goffs Vincent O’Brien National Stakes at the Curragh the following day.
“We think it will suit him well,” said O’Brien.
“We’ve thought he would be a Guineas horse. He’s built like a big miler so I’m not sure how much more he’ll stay.”