Irish Sunday Mirror

BENGALA’S OAKS TASK

Oxx ace ready to step up in big Munster contest

- BY RYAN MCELLIGOTT

BENGALA could be answer to an open edition of the Group 3 Munster Oaks at Cork today.

The John Oxx-trained filly has shaped up nicely on her first two outings and there could easily be more to come from her.

On her debut she looked like a filly who would go on to hold her own in smart company when landing a decent maiden at Leopardsto­wn.

She then moved up to Listed level for the Salsabil Stakes, where she had to settle for third behind Vociferous Marina.

However, things didn’t seem to go her way that day and she was noted putting in some good late work.

The manner in which she finished out her race that day suggested that a step up to a mile and a half would be no problem for her.

Furthermor­e, her run at Navan probably taught her plenty which will help her as she takes on some experience­d rivals here.

Earlier, the Listed sprint might fall to Henry de Bromhead’s smart threeyear-old Gorane. She began her season with a fine second to Khukri at Navan before then taking fourth behind Caravaggio in a Naas Group 3.

At Naas, Gorane showed lots of dash and shaped like a filly who would do better when she came back in trip.

With this in mind she should be right at home over this five furlongs.

Eddie Lynam holds a strong hand in the fillies’ sprint handicap, where Miss Power can see off stablemate Magic Bear.

Both have already won handicaps this season and Magic Bear was quite impressive at Navan last time.

However, Miss Power defeated her rival with something to spare in a Navan maiden last season and is now better off at the weights.

In the valuable Cork Derby, the Tony Martin-trained Moonmeiste­r could be the one to side with.

He has shown on a number of occasions that a good handicap prize is within his reach.

In the second division of the 45-65 rated handicap, Sleepy Head is taken to build on an encouragin­g second at Listowel, while the first division of the same race should go to Queluz.

 ??  ?? GROUP CHANCE Trainer John Oxx can win the Munster Oaks with Bengala in Cork
GROUP CHANCE Trainer John Oxx can win the Munster Oaks with Bengala in Cork

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