Ireland: Thundering On back against 3-year-olds in Irish Oaks
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After a failed attempt against older fillies and mares three weeks ago, Thundering On returns to the 3-year-old filly division in Saturday’s Group 1 Irish Oaks at the Curragh with an outstanding chance for her second major stakes win of the year.
Thundering On, trained by Joseph O’Brien for Shapoor Mistry, won the Group 1 English Oaks at 1 1/2 miles at Epsom Racecourse south of London on June 5. In the Group 1 Pretty Polly Stakes at 1 1/4 miles against older fillies and mares at the Curragh on June 27, Thundering On finished fourth of eighth, 2 1/2 lengths behind Estrange.
In the $571,000 Irish Oaks, Thundering On is expected to be favored in a field of 11 that includes five runners trained by Joseph’s famous father Aidan and a prominent British shipper in Earth Shot, the winner of the Group 2 Ribblesdale Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at 1 1/2 miles at Royal Ascot on June 18.
Thundering On, who is by Frankel, has won 2 of 6 starts.
Earth Shot is trained by William Haggas, who is already having an excellent week. On Tuesday, the Haggas-trained Maltese Cross overcame traffic to win the Group 1 Grand Prix de Paris for 3-year-old colts and fillies at Longchamp.
Earth Shot has won 2 of 3 starts this year. She won a maiden race at 1 1/4 miles at Newmarket Racecourse on May 1, and was second by a head as the 11-8 favorite behind 4-1 Inis Mor in the Height of Fashion Stakes at 1 1/4 miles at Goodwood Racecourse on May 23.
Inis Mor, trained in Britain by David Menuisier, was later third in the Group 1 French Oaks at Chantilly on June 14, and is part of the Irish Oaks field.
Aidan O’Brien’s best chance is Amelia Earhart, who won the Cheshire Oaks at 1 7/16 miles at Chester Racecourse in Britain on May 6, but was sixth as the 7-4 favorite in the English Oaks, fading in the final furlong.
Joseph O’Brien also starts Rebel Moon, who is unbeaten in two starts, including the Group 3 Jannah Rose Stakes at 1 5/16 miles at Naas Racecourse on June 24 in her stakes debut.
Rebel Moon was supplemented to the Irish Oaks for approximately $57,000 earlier this week.
Sparan Nua, the undefeated winner of three races, including the Group 3 Munster Oaks at Cork Racecourse on June 14, and Inis Mor were also supplemented.
The Irish Oaks has a post time of 11:35 a.m. Eastern or 8:35 a.m. Pacific.
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