IT DIDN’T happen for him at the Curragh earlier in the month but Andy Oliver is hoping a trip to Newmarket this Saturday will result in the first Group 1 success of his burgeoning career with Sendmylovetorose in the Jaguar Cheveley Park Stakes.
One of three top-flight prizes for fillies over the course of 24 hours at British racing’s HQ, the Cheveley Park produced a memorable first Group 1 victory for Oliver’s colleague Ger Lyons last year when Lightening Pearl won out.
That was a first Irish victory in the six-furlong highlight in 21 years but Oliver hopes lightening can strike twice in a row.
“The plan is to send Sendmylovetorose and as long as the ground is good, or on the easy side of good, we will be there,” said the Co Tyrone based trainer yesterday. “She has been in great form since the Moyglare and we will be going back to the trip over which she has done all her winning.”
The Moyglare was the filly’s first attempt at seven furlongs and she eventually finished sixth to Sky Lantern on ground that was the fastest she has encountered to date. Earlier in the season she had been an impressive winner of the Group 2 Cherry Hinton on Newmarket’s July course.
“She handles better ground fine but handles easier ground better than others,” added Oliver. “She was bang there after six furlong at the Curragh, so we will take her back and the trip shouldn’t be an issue. And obviously we would like a little cut in the ground.”
An ex-assistant to Mark Johnston, Oliver’s training career has stepped up a level this year with a number of Group 2 victories including First Cornerstone in the Futurity. That colt is due to be seen next in Sunday’s Beresford Stakes at the Curragh but a step up to Group 1 success for either of his stable stars this season would be a big feather in the Oliver cap.
On Friday Newmarket hosts the Shadwell Fillies Mile where Aidan O’Brien, twice a race winner in the past with Listen (2007) and Sunspanagled (1998), could take on the Godolphin star Certify with Magical Dream.
Saturday’s other Group 1 is the Kingdom Of Bahrain Sun Chariot Stakes, which is a target for Dermot Weld’s Emulous.
Before that another Curragh trainer, Ken Condon, could target Newmarket with the progressive Montebell in the Princess Royal Stakes or the Godolphin Stakes.
“We’ve got her in this race on Thursday and also one on Friday, so we’ll just have a look at them both,” said Condon yesterday. “She’s come out of her last race in great form and . . . I’d have no qualms about travelling with her. Her form stacks up very well. She’s beaten Livia Galilei in a maiden who has won three since and then she wasn’t beaten far by Hartani.”
