FLARE PLAYER
NEWSBOY’S 1-2-3 1 POETIC FLARE 2 MOSTAHDAF 3 HIGHLAND
AVENUE
POETIC FLARE sets the standard as Jim Bolger’s hardy perennial takes in his fourth Group 1 test in the space of 45 days.
The sequence began on May 1 with victory in the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket as the bay son of Dawn Approach beat Master Of The Seas by a short head, with Lucky Vega (third), Chindit ( fifth), Wembley (11th), Battleground (13th) and Thunder Moon (14th) in arrears.
A trip to France for the Poule d’Essai des Poulains saw Kevin Manning’s mount unable to find his footing on the Longchamp turf.
But a short-head second to stablemate, and Derby fourth, Mac Swiney in the Irish 2,000 Guineas at the
Curragh on his most recent start – Lucky Vega returned in fourth, La Barrosa sixth and Wembley 11th – was more like it.
Poetic Flare is evidently thriving on his work and Bolger saddled Dawn Approach to land this race in 2013, 17 days after he had trailed home last of 14 in the Derby.
The unbeaten Mostahdaf held Highland Avenue by half a length for the Listed Heron Stakes at Sandown last time and both colts have more to offer.