THERE is no good reason why Lady Carla should not follow up her scintillating Epsom Oaks victory with another emphatic success in tomorrow's Kildangan Stud Irish Oaks. By all accounts the Henry Cecil trained filly has thrived since beating the highly regarded Pricket by an incredible nine lengths five weeks ago and is the subject of some glowing reports from the Newmarket gallops where she worked nine days ago and again last Wednesday.
Not that Lady Carla has been asked to do a lot since Epsom, apparently she had been kept at the stretch on the way to the Oaks as she was due to run for just the second time this season and the third time in her career, but the learning process is now over and, to quote gallop reports, she has been kept just `ticking over'. She has only raced on fast ground and it looks as if the Curragh going will be perfect as it was for the Irish Derby.
The Peter Chapple Hyam trained Camporese had little luck in running in the Epsom Oaks but has still to make up to lengths on Lady Carla, who had only to be shaken up two furlongs out before quickening away most impressively.
The French trained Shamadara won the Group Two Prix De Malleret over a mile and a half at Longchamps last month and this improving filly, unraced last year, is highly regarded. However, I understand connections do not expect her to beat Lady Carla.
The last Irish trained filly to win this Classic was Princess Pati in 1984. If Lady Carla is to be beaten and it is a very big if Dermot Weld may have the answer in Dance Design, who stayed on well when winning the Pretty Polly Stakes at the Curragh last time out. Runner up in the Irish 1,000 Guineas and subsequently a close up third in the Coronation Stakes having gallantly attempted to make all the running, Dance Design is a good filly but there is no guarantee she will stay the distance.
Key Change surprised John Oxx when all but winning the Ribblesdale Stakes at Royal Ascot despite the fast ground which she dislikes. She does not show much at home but is patently a smart filly and, granted some `cut' in the ground, could run a big race. Tout A Coup is consistent but looks a little outclassed. Despite the Zagreb turn up in the Budweiser Irish Derby it is impossible to get away from Lady Carla, who may be chased home by Shamadara.
Future Prospect failed in the Coventry Stakes and should not present much of a danger to Raphane in the Group Three Omni Irish Racing Club Curragh Stakes. Con Collins's speedy charge would have won the Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot had she not lost so much ground in drifting left from over a furlong out.
Restructure was no match lord Charnwood Forest in the Queen Anne Stakes at Ascot but he ran a fine race to finish second and is probably on the upgrade. A reproduction of that form should see him through in the Group Three Minstrel Stakes.
King Wah Glory can win the Masterchefs Ladies Derby for the second year running but he needs good ground.
. The application of blinkers made all the difference to Ardlea House, who recorded his fifth course success when winning the Dowdallshill Handicap at Dundalk last evening.
Placed on each of his last four runs, Ardlea House gained a deserved win when beating Love Heart by a length and trainer Oliver Finnegan was left regretting not fitting the head gear earlier.
"Johnny Murtagh told me that blinkers would help after he rode him at Bellewstown and he was right. Ardlea House is already a winner at Galway and that is where he will go next".
Tommy Kinane and his son, Jayo were in trouble with the stewards after Rondelli took fourth place behind Wherewilitall End in the Drominkin Novice Hurdle.
For using the race course as a training ground, Kinane was fined £250 his son suspended for seven days and Rondelli was suspended from racing for 14 days.
