My Vonnie
(Michael Rice)
Down Royal, May 31st
Despite never quite looking a threat to the winner, it was a promising finishing effort from My Vonnie when fourth in a seven-furlong fillies’ maiden at Down Royal last week. The Make Believe three-year-old was beaten six and three quarters of a length so it’s difficult to get overly carried away with the bare level she ran to on this occasion, but she was ridden patiently and given an educational ride on debut. As a result, she was faster through the final two furlongs of the race than anything else in the race. If she can build on this, there ought to be races to be won with her.
Wizard Of Odds
(Charles O’Brien)
Listowel, June 2nd
After being set a tough task on debut when mid-field, beaten 11 and a half lengths, on soft to heavy ground at the Curragh in April behind Royal Ascot-bound Cowardofthecounty and Whistlejacket, Wizard Of Odds showed winning potential when filling the same position of fifth in a Listowel maiden last weekend. He got behind early on from his low draw in stall three, and that spelled problems for him over this six-and-a-half-furlong trip. He needed a reminder early and didn’t really travel easily, but what impressed about this showing was how he responded to pressure. This Arizona two-year-old finished off faster than any other runner over the final two furlongs. He will have learned from this experience and could improve for trying seven furlongs on a track that isn’t so sharp.
Merrily
(Aidan O’Brien)
Listowel, June 2nd
It was a messy finish to proceedings in the six-and-a-half-furlong fillies’ maiden on the same card when multiple runners got tight for room, including Merrily. The daughter of No Nay Never, drawn in stall one, was a step slower into stride than ideal on debut and had to come from off the pace against some rivals with more experience than her. It looked as though the penny was beginning to drop when running short of room in the final furlong - she would not have won regardless but would have finished closer. Expect her to sharpen up and go close in a maiden next time.
Without Words
(Joseph O’Brien)
Listowel, June 2nd
There was also a promising stable debut from Joseph O’Brien’s Without Words in a competitive-looking conditions race. There was no catching front-running favourite The Liffey, who already had the benefit of a run this season, and Without Words raced off level weights with him despite being a filly against a colt. It was encouraging to see the daughter of Mendelssohn, who cost €450,000 at Arqana in December, finish off so strongly from off the pace on her first start in 233 days. It wouldn’t be a shock if she ended up being a player in the Sandringham at Royal Ascot, should she go there.
Bizarre Dreams
(Johnny Murtagh)
Gowran, June 3rd
There was some market confidence behind Bizarre Dreams on her handicap debut in a 47-65 handicap for three-year-olds at Gowran on Monday, and this race ended up being a tough watch for her supporters. The 5/1 chance was repeatedly short of room as she attempted to challenge down the inside rail, away from where the winner came with a smooth run on the outer. Bizarre Dreams is well worth keeping an eye on back in this grade over the summer. She likely appreciated getting onto nicer ground than previously.
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