Hazarista facing 'a shot in the dark'

John Oxx describes Hazarista's attempt on today's Group One feature at York, the Aston Upthorpe Yorkshire Oaks, as something of a shot in the dark.

The Aga Khan-owned filly was third to Quiff in the race last year but faces a major task this afternoon against a field that includes the Epsom Oaks heroine Eswarah as well as the highly-rated French runner Shamdala.

Hazarista is also joined in the race by the other Irish hope Right Key, but John Oxx is unsure what to expect from his runner who was only ninth behind Alexander Goldrun in the Nassau Stakes on just her second start of 2005.

"She is in good form but this is a shot in the dark. It looks a good race and we're going into it with very little evidence to go on. She looked to be running a good race at Goodwood until getting a severe check.

"Having said that she was third in this last year on soft ground and she will prefer better going.

"She's a filly who deserves to be in a race likes this," said Oxx yesterday.

Right Key was also unlucky in her last race when fourth to the outstanding Shawanda in the Irish Oaks at the Curragh.

"She should have been a bit nearer, third anyway. Maybe she is not quite good enough for this race, but she is in good form and I believe she has come on for her run at the Curragh," said Kevin Prendergast yesterday.

"She does want fast ground. She ran poorly in her first couple of races in the spring and we thought she hadn't trained on. But it was the soft going," he added.

The other Irish runner at York today is the Dermot Weld-trained Orpington who will bid to give his trainer a first success in the big handicap of the week.

Pat Smullen's mount again wears blinkers and looks to have a decent draw in stall six.

"He is very well and this is the race we've had in mind for some time for him. But he does have plenty of weight. 9-7 is a lot to carry," said Weld yesterday.

The Curragh trainer also had an upbeat report on his star stayer Vinnie Roe after his third to Chelsea Rose at Leopardstown on Sunday.

"He's come out of it in super order and is all set for the Irish St Leger," Weld said.

Aidan O'Brien's Ballydoyle stable is not represented today, but the trainer has revealed he hopes to get his Eclipse winner, Oratorio, back in action for next month's Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown.

Oratorio has been on the sidelines since his memorable defeat of the Derby winner Motivator in the Eclipse, but has now started back in work.

"He has just started back and we are looking at the Irish Champion Stakes for him," said O'Brien who has also indicated that his Arlington Million winner Powerscourt could try and improve upon his third place in last year's Champion Stakes.

August racing returns to Bellewstown this evening where an unusual runner in the concluding amateur contest is Red Damson who is trained in Newmarket by Mark Prescott.

Runner-up at his local track on his last start, Red Damson looks set to face a tough task against the 96-rated Pepperwood who has won his last two and has Nina Carberry's assured assistance in the saddle. The point-to-point winner Shanshampshire was a major gamble at the Galway Festival, but he ran freely in a bumper and couldn't justify favouritism. The five-year-old could be worth another shot in the maiden hurdle.

The in-form apprentice Emmet Butterly can make it three-in-a-row on Stef's Girl in the first division of the mile handicap while at Sligo, the season's leading claimer, Chris Hayes, can also make his presence felt. Goose Island is also on a three-timer and carries a 5lb penalty in the second division of the mile-and-a-half handicap while Hayes looks a significant booking for Mrs Munning's in the claimer.