WILLIE McCreery’s classy filly Insinuendo looks set to be the only Irish-trained runner in the Bahrain International Trophy on Friday week.

The five-year-old filly put up a career-best effort when third to Emily Upjohn in the Group 1 Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes at Ascot last month and connections have decided to take up an invite by the Bahrain Turf Club to take their chance in the £600,000 Group 3 contest.

“All being well she’s going to travel over,” McCreery said. “We were delighted with her run in Ascot. It was great to get a Group 1 placing with her and her owners are keen to give this a go. She is not an overrated filly so we’re keen to take on the race. It’s great prize money and a nice opportunity for her.”

One of the leading contenders in the race is likely to be the Owen Burrows-trained Alflaila, who has progressed through the ranks with three wins in a row. Both Godolphin trainers Charlie Appleby and Saeed Bin Suroor are likely to be represented as well.

Insinuendo remains in the December Mare Sale at Tattersalls in Newmarket at the end of this month.

Magical Lagoon

Another Irish filly preparing for a big international target is Magical Lagoon who has been in quarantine in Japan ahead of running the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Hanshin.

The Irish Oaks winner will take on €1 million 13-furlong contest next Sunday and has been reported to be training well by Lauryn Faulkner and Zara Caitlyn Nelson from the Jessica Harrington team who have travelled over with her.

Harrington and Shane Foley will travel to Japan on Monday and the latter, speaking on Racing TV this week, said: “Lauryn and Zara are very happy with her out there and she looks a million dollars. A mile and three furlongs on fast ground will really suit her. She got a break after York and we think she has improved. Physically she has got stronger as well. She stays in training next year too.”