3:30 Killarney15 JUL 2018 ATR
1m (1m25y) Irish Stallion Farms EBF Cairn Rouge Stakes (Listed Race) (Fillies & Mares) (3yo+)
Ship Of Dreams is improving at a rate of knots and can boost the Royal Ascot form to give trainer Joseph O’Brien a win in the feature race at Killarney on Sunday.
He finds himself taking on his father Aidan O’Brien amongst others in the competitive 3.30 Listed Fillies and Mares race.
Ship Of Dreams caught the eye when a fast-finishing second at Leopardstown in a Group 3 in May, behind multiple winner Who’s Steph. The three-year-old was slightly short of room up the inside rail when produced but caught many peoples attention when able to get within a length of the winner that day.
The G M Lyons filly (Who’s Steph) has since not disgraced herself when tackling Group 1 company, finishing seventh behind Alpha Centauri in the Irish 1000 Guineas to give the form plenty of substance.
On her latest outing Ship Of Dreams contested the Sandringham Stakes Handicap at Royal Ascot off a mark of 101 and she was better than her finishing position (6th) suggests. She travelled extremely well under a big weight and was found wanting for room just over 2f out before being forced to switch right and around runners to stay on well in the closing stages.
Although still to get her head in front on turf, connections clearly think highly of the filly as she carries both Group 2 and Group 1 entries and she is likely to confirm her self a class above opposition today.
Donnacha O’Brien jumps off likely market rival Clear Skies in favour of his brothers mount here, seemingly confirming that Clear Skies will need a stronger stamina test than this today and although there is plenty of depth to this heat, many do have questions to answer for one reason or another.
The selection gets the aid of the weight for age allowance to enhance her strong claims and will be tough to beat. The likely danger will come in the form of Petticoat who produced a career best last time and could make a bold showing from a good draw.
