Racing Chatter – Harrington’s Royal Festival Hopes

With exciting action taking place both in Ireland and the UK, over the last few days, connections have been dropping hints over their plans for the Summer…

Torcedor is Jess The Job

Jessica Harrington is thrilled with the progress made by Torcedor, who was too good for Order Of St George in the G3 Vintage Crop Stakes. She’ll soon be shopping for a new hat, as the performance has put Ascot to the forefront of her mind.

“Colm (O’Donoghue) said he had come on from Leopardstown. I put my neck on the line and supplemented him for this. I thought if we could get third it would be great.

“What I’m really pleased about is that the ground is very different from Leopardstown and I wasn’t sure if it was just the slow ground there that helped him.

“He seemed to travel on that ground perfectly and seemed to love it. He’s grown in confidence. He won well at Leopardstown, but this was a big step up in class and he had to improve.”

“I know it was his second run of the year and Order Of St George’s first, so he’s going to come forward from there, but I loved the way he stayed every yard of it.

“They went a good gallop and started taking him on from the far side. He stayed at it all the way to the line. I’ll have a conference with the owners and see where we go, but I’d say we’ll probably like to go to Ascot with him.”

Meade’s Inmate Is Ready To Rowl

Eminent’s exploits, over the Rowley Mile at Headquarters, have left Martyn Meade feeling confident ahead of the 2000 Guineas. The Frankel-sired colt beat Rivet in the Craven Stakes, on Thursday and it’s understandable that the trainer is bullish.

“His two wins have both been over the Rowley Mile and I shall take him for his last bit of work before the Guineas which will be on the Watered Gallop on the Rowley Mile. He’ll know that track inside out, so it must be a huge advantage. He’s only 10 minutes down the road, so he will leave when I need to go, which is perfect.

“There was no doubt he needed that race and it will bring him on. There is only so much we can do at home. We’re a bit limited, we don’t have all these Group One horses we can work him against.

“He was ready to go – not 100 per cent tuned up, but was obviously fit enough to run. It will have taught him a huge amount. It’s a real advantage having had that run.”

Magical Memory Looks Fresh Under Frankie

Magical Memory hasn’t raced since trailing in last in September’s Haydock Sprint Cup, but it looks like we will be seeing the 5-year-old contest the Duke of York Stakes following a handy bit of work under Frankie Dettori on Thursday at Newmarket. Kennet Valley racing manager, Sam Hopkins, says connections are even complimenting a tilt at the Diamond Jubilee Stakes if things work out.

“He went well and pulled nicely clear. He has had a long break since the Sprint Cup at Haydock as he had a little bit of a setback in September and that is why he didn’t run in the Champions Sprint at Ascot.

“He hasn’t been rushed back. He has just come back steadily and the idea was to go for a little racecourse gallop then go for the Duke of York, then go to the Diamond Jubilee.

“Last year he peaked in the Duke of York, although he ran well in the Diamond Jubilee, but we want him to peak in that this year as that is the big aim.

“He is getting there fitness wise and Charlie has been really pleased with him. He is still his old self, he still has fantastic temperament so it is bring on Limato, Quiet Reflection and Brando.”

Joy For Johnny

Johnny Murtagh is feeling both happy and relieved , following Too Familiar’s victory at Navan. Jockey Niall McCullagh skillfully threaded the needle, when the smallest of gaps appeared at the business-end of the contest. Naas is next on the agenda and Murtagh is not ruling out a later trip to Berkshire.

“That’s a bit of pressure off as it’s a new syndicate that we put together. It’s their second runner and first winner. I’ve always liked her and she showed a lot of pace. She has been working very well at home.

“I said to Niall to ride her for luck but he said she was brave, she pricked her ears a little bit when she went there but the gap opened up lovely and she’s quickened well.

“There is a fillies’ race in Naas for her now. The syndicate are still dreaming of Ascot so you never know. The dream is still alive!”