John’s boy Hot to trot
TOO DARN HOT could be too much to handle in the Tattersalls Irish 1,000 Guineas (3.35) today.
No three-year-old had a bigger reputation entering this flat season after a breathtaking display in the Dewhurst Stakes in October.
John Gosden had to shelve plans though to contest the first classic of the season when the son of Dubawi met with a setback. The comeback run didn’t get live up to expectations in the Dante Stakes when he raced freely and was beaten a length by Telecaster.
But it is taking that Gosden has opted to come to the Curragh so soon after that and he remains a horse with huge potential. Aidan O’brien’s
is the obvious starting point though after winning the English equivalent and could make a top class miler but may have been slightly flattered by a draw bias.
Then quickly turning to tomorrow and could complete the double English raid in the Tattersalls Irish 1,000 Guineas (4.25).
Roger Varian’s filly was sent off the 7/2 favourite at Newmarket but things didn’t go her way.
Plenty ran greenly that day and just as David Egan asked his horse to go two furlongs out, Qabala got bumped between two horses.
The loss of momentum at a crucial stage of the race didn’t necessarily cost her the race won by gallant winner Hermosa. But the penny only seemed to be dropping for this three-year-old late on which is understandable considering it was just her third run on the track.
If you can compare that to O’brien’s winner Hermosa who was having his seventh outing on the racecourse – the argument is Qabala has more scope for improvement.
The deficit the English raider needs to make up is just over one length but this daughter of Scat Daddy looks a natural miler. Hermosa, in contrast, could be destined for a step up in trip in time.
There are other challengers aplenty with O’brien’s running a good race in fifth over the Rowley Mile and looks a filly on the up after a taking display at Killarney.
Elsewhere on the card, in the Boodles Handicap (5.30) it may be worth chancing a small wager on old favourite
Charles O’brien’s seasoned handicapper has slipped down the weights again but put in some eyecatching displays in finishing a close seventh and eight when last seen.
The 10-year-old has been freshened up since and could go close off an attractive mark.