SEARCH For A Song is set to become the first three-year-old filly to take her chance in the Irish St Leger since 2010.
The Dermot Weld-trained, Moyglare Stud-owned filly only made her debut at Fairyhouse in May, but has quickly progressed, and she impressed when staying on strongly to take the Listed Sir Henry Cecil Galtres Stakes at York last time out.
Her trainer has done well in this race with fillies before, training the four-year-old Voleuse De Coeurs to win it in 2013 and Profound Beauty to finish second in 2010.
In all, Weld has won this race seven times, and said of his sole entry this year: “She is a good filly. She pops off the top of the ground so good ground is pretty important to her. When you’re taking on the males and older horses too, you want everything in your favour but we’re happy with her and we’re keen to have a go.”
Tarnawa is another filly Weld will be relying on this weekend. She is her trainer’s sole entry in the Group 2 Moyglare “Jewels” Blandford Stakes, a race Weld has won four of the previous five years.
The Aga Khan-owned daughter of Shamardal claimed a notable scalp of Who’s Steph in the Group 3 Blue Wind Stakes earlier in the season, a performance which earned her a crack at the Oaks. She disappointed at Epsom but freshened up, she returned with a hugely impressive performance in the Group 3 Give Thanks Stakes at Cork.
MATTHEW Smith hasn’t ruled out running the history-making One Cool Poet on both days on this Irish Champions Weekend.
The seven-year-old gelding became only the second ever horse to win three times in the same week at the Galway Races, and first to do all three wins on the flat. His first win at Galway was achieved off a rating of 66 and he is now remarkably rated 90, with the third of his three wins his most impressive, encompassing an emphatic five-length win.
His progression up the ratings has allowed Irish Champions Weekend to come into the equation and speaking to The Irish Field ICW Podcast this week, Smith confirmed that has been the plan since Galway: “Obviously we couldn’t have been thinking of this weekend before Galway because he wouldn’t have been rated near high enough. He is absolutely flying since and we’re very much looking forward to having a go.
“He is declared for both the Petingo and the Northfields Handicaps and we’ll see how he gets on at Leopardstown first. I wouldn’t rule anything out.”
Hat-trick heroes - One Cool Poet will now bid for further success on Irish Champions Weekend \ Healy Racing
In the aftermath of Galway, Smith was keen to credit Billy Lee, who rode One Cool Poet to all three wins at Ballybrit. Lee has been booked to ride the son of Urban Poet again today which is a big plus.
“Obviously Galway was great, a brilliant experience,” Smith said. “But we’re very much looking forward to this weekend now. He is off 90 now which will be tough but he’s in great form at home, and it’s great to be represented on this sort of big day.”
MICK Halford has been typically selective with his two-year-olds this year with five wins from just 18 runs. Two of those winners are set to represent him this weekend with Curragh maiden scorer Sinawann taking on the Champions Juvenile Stakes at Leopardstown today and Roman Turbo in the National Stakes at the Curragh tomorrow.
On the pair, Halford said: “Sinawann came forward significantly from his debut run to win last time and he’ll have to take a big leap forward again in this Group 2. But we’re very happy with him and saw the mile out really well at the Curragh.
“Roman Turbo ran very well in the Futurity. He just raced a little bit fresh and keenly early on and he might have just paid for that in the closing stages.
"He’ll have to step up as well taking on the likes of Pinatubo and Armory but he deserves to be there and his owner is delighted to be involved in the race.”
Mick Halford with his National Stakes chance Roman Turbo \ Healy Racing
Hat-trick
Surrounding, the six-year-old mare, will also represent Halford today in the Group 2 Boomerang Stakes and comes into the race on a hat-trick.
“She has been a wonderful servant,” Halford said. “She won a Group 3 the last day so we thought she earned the right to have a go at a Group 2.
“Look, on ratings she might have a bit to do but she is a tough mare and is entitled to be there.”