Dakota Blue

(Johnny Murtagh)

Curragh, July 20th

Dakota Blue was one of the more physically imposing types in the opening seven-furlong two-year-old maiden on Oaks day at the Curragh, and he ran with credit when fourth behind some classy prospects in what is traditionally a strong race. Although he’s by a speed influence in Sioux Nation, this colt is out of a Galileo mare and is a half-brother to a listed winner over a mile and six furlongs. On this evidence, he could be worth a try over a mile before the season is out and he looks good enough to win a maiden at least. It’s possible he could be a better three-year-old too.

Elizabeth Jane

(Dermot Weld)

Curragh, July 20th

No filly entered the Irish Oaks with less experience than Elizabeth Jane and she certainly justified her connections’ decision to have a crack at the classic when finishing a fine fourth, beaten three and three quarters of a length. Perhaps she ended up getting a little further back than ideal, but this trip probably stretched her stamina slightly anyway. She did quicken up smartly, however. From four furlongs out to three furlongs out, only one filly in the entire field was quicker than her and it was the same story for the sectional times from three furlongs out to the two-furlong pole. Back at 10 furlongs, she ought to be set for a fruitful autumn for a trainer with an excellent knack of winning blacktype races with fillies like this.

Indigo Dream

(Ross O’Sullivan)

Curragh, July 21st

Ross O’Sullivan has been enjoying a terrific summer and he appears to have a quality filly on his hands in the shape of Indigo Dream, who had no answer to the highly exciting Red Letter at the Curragh on Sunday but beat the rest of what looked a smart field in a seven-furlong juvenile fillies’ maiden. This was a sizeable step forward from what she showed on debut at Leopardstown a month and a half earlier, though that was a decent affair won by runaway Royal Ascot heroine Bedtime Story. She seemingly learned a fair deal from that experience. A maiden win looks well within the reach of this 140,000gns yearling purchase.

Pansy Poe

(Fozzy Stack)

Curragh, July 21st

Pansy Poe had been a touch frustrating to follow in maidens but her handicap debut in a three-year-old sprint at the Curragh on Sunday suggested a first win may not be far away. The Fozzy Stack-trained filly was allowed to take a position towards the second half of the field early and wasn’t hurried upon leaving the gates. She travelled strongly and, while unable to really land a telling blow on the main protagonists, it was encouraging to see her finish out her race so strongly against others with more handicap experience. If able to take confidence from this and come forward into her next starts, she could be up to winning one of these handicaps. It’s possible an ease in the ground might see her to best effect too.