Get our Saturday Curragh racing tips as we look over the second day of top-class racing on Irish Guineas weekend.
After a stellar Friday racecard at the Curragh for the Irish 2000 Guineas the action stays at the premier Irish racing track for a second day of racing where it is the turn of the fillies to strut their stuff in the Irish 1000 Guineas which is the feature race on the card.
There is also Group Two action with the Lanwades Stud Stakes, as well as competitive handicap action on another top-quality card, and we’ve scoured the action to deliver our best Saturday Curragh racing tips.
SATURDAY CURRAGH RACING TIPS 13 JUNE
5:10 Curragh – Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Maiden (Plus 10 Race) (3yo) 1m2f
Jessica Harrington’s string continues in top form and ST CLERANS looks worth chancing to find another jolt of improvement where she can open her account at the third time of asking having shaped well on both previous runs.
Seventh to Ridenza on her debut at Leopardstown last August, the Golden Horn filly stepped up on that experience to finish third behind Irish 1000 Guineas hopeful Peaceful at Thurles when last seen out although the softer ground there might not have been to her liking.
She might have more to offer now returning to a sounder surface and facing a stiffer test of stamina, and if she can show progress on her reappearance from her juvenile campaign then she can go close for her in-form yard.
Jessica Harrington features in our Saturday Curragh racing tips where the top trainer has winning chances.
5:45 Curragh – Platinum Bloodstock & Eyrefield House Stud Handicap (3yo+ 50-75) 5f
STRONG JOHN has proven himself a consistent and capable sprinter at this level since dropping to the minimum trip, making the frame in all five starts at the distance which includes a win at Navan in October.
The Le Cadre Noir gelding had struggled over six furlongs previously, but he has shown improved form since and latterly finished a close fourth behind Arcanears on the Dundalk polytrack in November although he hasn’t been seen since.
That race has thrown up several winners and racing here from the same mark back on turf – 1lb lower than when finishing runner-up at Naas the time before – he ought to make his presence felt if not anchored by his big weight.
He’s still relatively low-mileage and unexposed so it wouldn’t be a surprise if he were to find another jolt of progress and he can get back on the scoresheet.
6:15 Curragh – Irish Stallion Farms EBF “Ragusa” Handicap (Premier Handicap) (4yo+) 1m4f
Lightly-raced WAR DIARY won twice last term, scoring at Clonmel and over course and distance in this corresponding race. The Declaration Of War gelding can get back to winning ways having been thwarted in his hat-trick attempt at Galway when last seen.
Formerly with John Joseph Murphy, his latest win came by a neck over Sea The Lion where he appeared to win a shade readily. His last outing was better than the bare result might suggest and he’s since switched yard to pitch up at Mick Halford’s operation where he could improve under the care of the shrewd handler.
He’s only 4lbs higher in this contest as he bids to retain his crown and with the scope for further improvement to come he can give a good account as an unexposed sort so gets the vote to strike a second win in this competitive handicap.
Speak In Colours can win again at the Curragh on Saturday.
6:45 Curragh – Coolmore Calyx Gladness Stakes (Group 3) (4yo+) 7f
SPEAK IN COLOURS could be the one to side with in this Group Three and Joseph O’Brien’s charge can make a winning return having ran respectably despite possibly needing the outing at Riyadh when last seen in February.
The Excelebration colt won twice last term, scoring both successes here in Listed and Group Three company, and he has been far from disgraces in starts in Group One contests at Longchamp and Ascot respectively since.
He is 3-4 at this venue with all his wins coming over six furlongs; but he is effective at this longer trip an he was only beaten four lengths into third over the distance when contesting the Prix De La Foret last October while the better ground is also no issue.
More likely to be suited by this trip than standard-setting Lancaster House his relative match-sharpness compared to that rival tips the scales in his favour; he can come out on top here to enhance his excellent course record at the expense of his Ballydoyle rival.