Trainer John Oxx has indicated dual classic winner SEA THE STARS (Cape Cross
[Ire]) might be a doubtful starter for Sunday’s Irish Derby (Ire-G1) as 17
possibles remained in contention for The Curragh feature at Tuesday’s forfeit
stage.
“He worked (Tuesday) morning and everything went well,” Oxx told PA Sport.
“He came out of Epsom in great form and, thankfully, we have had no hold-ups
since then. I walked the track on Saturday, and again this morning, and there is
still plenty of moisture in the ground, so it wouldn’t take a lot of rain to
change it against us. The weather is very warm, but it’s also very humid and
there is not much wind, so the course is not drying very quickly.
“Today, it would have been borderline (to run) as I thought the straight was
on the slow side — maybe we would have been a little bit concerned. We had an
awful lot of rain last Tuesday night into Wednesday morning and it is just
taking time to dry out. We’ll make a decision whether to declare him, and even
then we would have to watch the weather. There is no rush to decide and we could
even make a final decision on the day.”
The Currabeg conditioner also has Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial (Ire-G2)
second MOURAYAN (Alhaarth) still engaged.
The €1.5-million event provides an
opportunity for some of the Epsom Derby (Eng-G1) vanquished to exact revenge on
Christopher Tsui’s sophomore, including placegetters FAME AND GLORY (Montjeu
[Ire]) and MASTEROFTHEHORSE (Sadler’s Wells), as well the fifth-placed GOLDEN
SWORD (High Chaparral [Ire]). That trio form part of a 10-strong team from
Ballydoyle.
Other notable contenders include the Jim Bolger-trained GAN AMHRAS (Galileo
[Ire]), who finished 11th of 12 at Epsom.