The Group 1 Vertem Futurity Trophy Stakes hit the media last week, as out of twelve entries – eleven horses based in Ballydoyle under the guidance of Aidan O’Brien were entered – now though he only has five of the twelve runners in this rescheduled Group 1 contest.
The Andrew Balding-trained Kameko was previously the sole British contender in the race and stands his ground again. The Qatar owned-gelding is set to be steered by current champion jockey Oisin Murphy, he will be the one to go up against the force that is Ballydoyle. He was a good second in the Solario and Royal Lodge and is indeed a very interesting runner.
Innisfree landed the Beresford Stakes at the Curragh last month and is one to be feared.
Ante-post favourite Mogul will be ridden by Aidan’s son Donnacha who’s chasing the jockey’s title in Ireland. The son of Galileo has an impressive form of 112 to date, most recently he won the Group 2 Juvenile Stakes at Leopardstown seven weeks ago.
The surprise entry this week was Kinross who was scintillating when winning a Newmarket maiden by eight lengths earlier in the month. This obviously represents a huge jump in class but the well-bred son of Kingman looks smart and should justify the entry.
Selection: Innisfree – E/W
