Oratorio’s son Obliterator runs in the Gr1 on Saturday
Kingman is set to face 13 opponents when he lines up for the Gr1 Tattersalls Irish 2000 Guineas at the Curragh on Saturday following this morning’s final declaration stage.
The John Gosden-trained colt, runner up to Night Of Thunder in the Newmarket 2000 Guineas a couple of weeks ago, has been installed a short priced 8/13 favourite by bookmakers Boylesports.com to go one better at the weekend.
Of interest to South African observers will be the participation by Avontuur’s exciting young stallion Oratorio’s representative.
His lightly raced son, Obliterator, is one of 14 3yos set to line up for the prestigious classic race.
Obliterator, who has made just two racecourse appearances thus far, followed up a maiden win with a second place finish to the highly rated True Story in the Listed Feilden Stakes.
Taking a step up in class for Saturday’s race, Obliterator gets the services of former champion British jockey, Jamie Spencer.
The Irish 2000 Guineas is set to be run at 4:20 (SA time), and no doubt will once again prove a thrilling contest.
Interestingly enough, Oratorio himself ran second in the 2005 Irish 2000 Guineas, where he was beaten only by subsequent world leading sire Dubawi.
An outstanding racehorse, and now champion sire, Oratorio’s first local crop of foals will be born later this year.
Also engaged in the first Irish Classic of the season is the Richard Hannon-trained Shifting Power, which was supplemented to the race on Tuesday following his close up fourth behind Night Of Thunder at Newmarket. Champion Irish trainer Aidan O’Brien is responsible for five of the 13 runners with War Command (not beaten far when ninth at Newmarket) the choice of rider Joseph O’Brien.
Dermot Weld has made a good start to season
Dermot Weld has had a tremendous start to the season and the Curragh-based handler has chosen Mustajeeb (Pat Smullen) to represent him. Mustajeeb advertised his claims in no uncertain terms when landing at Group Three prize at Leopardstown 11 days ago in emphatic fashion.
The remaining runners are: Great White Eagle, Michaelmas, Fountain Of Youth, Johann Strauss (all Aidan O’Brien trained), Big Time, Obliterator, Prince Of All, Mandatorio, Davids Park and Dolce N Karama.
Liam Glynn, PR Executive at Boylesports said “Kingman is by far the best backed horse in the Ante Post book but our traders have kept him on our side knowing that he will relish the expected testing conditions at the Curragh on Saturday.”
He added “Both Mustajeeb and War Command are popular as an each-way alternative to Kingman and we have also laid War Command’s stable mate, Johann Strauss, who is now 20/1 from 33/1 to follow up his Dundalk Maiden win last time out.”
