CURRAGH

7:30 SAOIRE STAKES (LISTED RACE) (FILLIES) (2yo) 6f

CEIST EILE 8-12 ~ Not the most eyecatching filly on breeding but her sales price increased significantly last year suggesting she has the potential to be very good. The stable are in great form at the moment and have a 23% strike rate with their juveniles this season. So despite not yet having seen a racecourse she warrants plenty of respect and the yard are more than capable of readily one first time out. The fact that she makes her debut in a Listed race suggests she is well regarded but first time out is a bit of a guess. Overall her breeding tempers enthusiasm and the percentage call is to oppose against proven rivals first time out, especially as Kevin Manning prefers Sky Mystic.

CHINTZ 8-12 ~ Made a winning debut at Leopardstown and recorded a faster time than the colts managed in their division of the maiden. The front two pulled clear of the field and David Wachman’s filly strode on really well to win by ½ a length from Rare Ransom. The form of that race hasn’t been fully tested but the way the field was strung out with the front two pulling clear suggested the form was decent and the top Irish yards were well represented. The concern is though that there is plenty of stamina on the dam’s side and the way she ran on debut didn’t suggest a step down in trip would be ideal. Apart from that she looks a good filly and she has to have a good chance in today’s race, in conditions she has faced before. Despite concerns regarding the trip she has to be respected given she comes into the race in winning form.

COOL TARIFA 8-12 ~ Won the first 2yo race of the season at the Irish Lincoln meeting when the ground was very testing at the Curragh. She was well backed beforehand and she stayed on well to justify the market support. The first three pulled clear but the form hasn’t worked out at all well since. The filly was next seen at Naas when running in the Group 3 Swordlestown Stud Sprint Stakes where she was well beaten behind Cuis Ghaire. The ground at Naas was quick and she didn’t look to enjoy the firm surface so the recent rain has helped her chances. However given that her maiden win looks average at best she looks sure to struggle attempting to gain some black type in what looks a decent event.

EXCELENTE 8-12 ~ Made her debut on Sunday when producing an eyecatching performance over 7f at Gowran Park. She was last turning in but stayed on well to finish a never nearer 4th behind Sawtooth Mountain. The way she ran that day didn’t suggest she’d be better over shorter but her sire Exceed And Excel was a multiple Group 1 winning sprinter in Australia so she should have enough speed. She is sure to come on for her debut run, as the trainers juveniles normally do, but she has to improve significantly if she wants to figure in today’s company.

PASAR SILBANO 8-12 ~ Unbeaten in two starts on the all weather and she managed to win both races in good times. Given she didn’t handle the bend in both races she deserves particular credit. The straight track at the Curragh was expected to suit her better and she ran a good race behind Silver Shoon and Heart Shaped in the Listed Marble Hill Stakes but she was outclassed by both rivals. She stayed on well enough though inside the final furlong suggesting that the extra furlong should be well within her grasp. She lacks the scope of some of her rivals but she has decent form and shouldn’t be too far away at the finish.

SHIMAH 8-12 ~ Pick of the field on breeding and the dam’s progeny have done well for this trainer/owner combination. Haatef, Ulfah and Walayef have all gone on to win in pattern class and after Shimah’s debut win at the Curragh the same looks certain for the son of Storm Cat. The time wasn’t great but the way he picked up to mow down the leader Connie Mac was impressive and she strode on in impressive fashion. The field was well strung out in behind and the impression was that it was a good race won by an impressive performer. The two fillies who finished 1st and 2nd looked the horses to take out of the race and the 2nd, Connie Mac, went on to finish 3rd at Royal Ascot in the Group 2 Queen Mary Stakes. The form has also been franked by Sawtooth Mountain who was an impressive winner at Gowran Park last weekend so Kevin Prendergast looks a deserved favourite with almost rock solid form. She is clearly the one they all have to beat and with connections talking about future Group 1 targets this race is likely to be a mere stepping stone to greater things.

SKY MYSTIC 8-12 ~ Nicely bred individual but she has been well beaten in both her two starts so far. Kevin Manning prefers her to Ceist Eile but that probably highlights a lack of confidence behind the newcomer as Sky Mystic hasn’t looked anything out of the ordinary. The fact that she also doesn’t have any fancy entries is worrying for her supporters as Jim Bolger has 18 in the Group 1 Moyglare Stakes but Sky Mystic isn’t one. Possible that she isn’t thought good enough to have an entry and on the evidence of her two starts so far that is understandable. She’ll need to show considerable improvement if she is to figure in today’s company and she’s passed over.

WHAT’S UP PUSSYCAT 8-12 ~ Finished 2nd in a couple of minor maiden races before putting up an improved effort at Cork last time when running out a comfortable winner. She recorded a faster time than Heart Of Fire managed in the Listed Rochestown Stakes on the same card but she was receiving weight in the maiden and was carrying 6lbs less than the winner of the Listed race. She looks sure to run her race but she lacks the scope of some of his rivals and she has plenty to find with the favourite on form lines through Thecreditcrunchie.

CONCLUSION

The race revolves around the Shimah who made the impression when winning on debut that she would be making her mark in some of Ireland’s top juvenile Group races this season. The manor of victory was impressive and it’s also the best piece of form on offer. The nearest danger looks sure to be the David Wachman trained Chintz but the drop to 6f looks against that rival. Also both his manner of victory on debut and bare form doesn’t compare favourably with the favourites.
The Jim Bolger pair don’t make much appeal given the stable jockey is on a filly who has looked decidedly average in both starts so far which is hardly a ringing endorsement for the unraced Ceist Eile.
Pasar Silbano looks booked for third and expect an improved effort from Jessica Harrington’s Excelente but both fillies don’t look to have the scope of the front two in the market.

2pt WIN – SHIMAH @ 11/10

RESULT

SHIMAH 1st = +2.20pts