SHARK’S CLASS TO KEEP ’EM ALL AT BAY
Ballydoyle star’s high Guinness hopes
SHARK Bay should make a bold bid to become the first three-yearold since Taraza in 2001, to land today’s Galway feature, the €110,000 Guinness (Premier) Handicap.
The selection is a tough cookie, should relish the demands of Ballybrit and, despite a 7lb. penalty for a recent win in Gowran Park, might, hopefully, reward each-way support.
Admittedly, this Australia colt has come up short when tried in listed company. But he ran a solid race on his handicap debut when fourth to Urban Oasis in the Ulster Derby.
And, when rated 87, he then dug deep to see off 96-rated subsequent winner Good Heavens in a median auction race in Killarney.
Last time, at Gowran Park last Saturday, he struggled when dropping back to an extended nine furlongs but still got the job done when outpointing Jungle Cove, who had won the Nasrullah Handicap at Leopardstown on his previous start.
Now rated 102, Shark Bay faces a stiff test today. But he looks progressive for Aidan O’brien and might have more to offer in a tough race.
Willie Mullins has won four of the last seven renewals of this race and relies, this time, on Baby Zeus, well-beaten in a Kilbeggan maiden hurdle last time, on his first start since last October.
Jessica Harrington’s Laelaps must shoulder top-weight, coming into the race on the back of a defeat by Takeachancejimmy in Ballinrobe last week.
But his previous effort, when a close third to Bay Of Bengal and Tuesday’s Colm Quinn BMW Mile victor Magic Chegaga at the Curragh reads well, although he’s tackling a mile and a half for the first time today.
Similarly, Barry Fitzgerald’s mare Dame Rapide took a hefty 24lb. hike back in May, thanks to wins at Leopardstown and the Curragh, where she beat Monday’s Connacht Hotel heroine Echoes In Rain, and she’s one for all short-lists today.
Joseph O’brien has yet to land this prize, but has prospects with tough mare Merroir, a course and distance winner (off a 17lb. lower mark) here last year and successful on her 2022 return, when repeating last year’s win in a valuable fillies handicap in Ballinrobe. Raised 5lb. for that win, she should have improved from the outing.
Cask Mate has prospects, while revitalised mare Dha Leath is on a roll and should stay this longer trip.