Ground key to Irish Guineas

Rock of Gibraltar could be as short as 1-5 for Saturday's Irish 2000 Guineas at The Curragh, where the state of the ground may prove as much of a problem for him as his six rivals.

The winner of the English 2000 Guineas at Newmarket on May 4, Rock of Gibraltar is one of four Aidan O'Brien-trained runners in the Group 1 Irish 2000. The others are Century City, recent winner of the Group 3 Tetrarch Stakes; Della Francesca, 12th in the French 2000 Guineas on May 12; and their pacemaker, Nostradamus.

Racing in Ireland, at Leopardstown on Wednesday, Roscommon on Thursday, and Tipperary on Friday, has been canceled because of waterlogged courses. On Saturday, the ground at The Curragh is expected to be no better than very soft. Rock of Gibraltar has won on soft, yielding, and good ground, but if the going should come up heavy, an upset, possibly by the 8-1 Century City, could be in the making.

* Will Farish scored his biggest victory as an owner in Europe since being named American ambassador to Great Britain when Music Club won the listed Prix Melisande at Longchamp on Thursday. Frankie Dettori rode Music Club to an impressive three-length score over Marche de Paix. Trainer John Gosden said that she would run next in the Prix de Diane (French Oaks) at Chantilly on June 9.