A LITTLE bit of history can be made at Leopardstown tomorrow when Ebadiyla is fancied to become the first filly to win the Derrinstown Derby Trial.
First run in its present format as the Nijinsky Stakes in 1971, this 10 furlong event has produced Classic winners in the past of the calibre of Golden Fleece and Boucher but this time round it could well be about to throw up a genuine Oaks prospect.
What that says about the six colts pitched against Ebadiyla tomorrow is debatable but it may have more to do with a genuinely exciting talent rather than any lack of talent among the likes of Casey Tibbs and Plaza De Toros.
Casey Tibbs in particular showed a flashing turn of finishing pace to beat Zafarabad in a Listed race over this course and distance last month. It was impressive in itself but he seems to be rated less of a Derby prospect than his highly touted stablemate Stage Affair.
Christy Roche has elected to ride Ashley House, a narrow winner here last time, in preference to Plaza De Toros which is hardly encouraging for Aidan O'Brien's followers, but such a move is hardly likely to cause Ebadiyla's trainer John Oxx any undue concern.
Oxx also runs Candereli in the race to make sure there is no hanging about, but doesn't place too much significance in pitching Ebadiyla, winner of his sole start, albeit impressively, at the Curragh, in against the colts so early in the season.
"It's more a case of where else can we run. This is an ideally timed race over a suitable distance and we will learn more about her. Every trainer in the race has more hope than expectation at this stage but our filly has gone the right way since the Curragh and is working nicely. We just hope the race shows her up to be a Classic candidate," Oxx said yesterday.
One slight worry is that Ebadiyla is down to carry 8st 8lb which is a weight that John Murtagh hasn't visited in some time but he is hopeful he will be able to make it tomorrow. If he does, it will just add to the filly's chances of enhancing her already blooming reputation.
Half an hour earlier Oxx can be in the winners' enclosure again as his three-year-old colt, Sharavati, looks to have a real chance of adding the Spring Handicap to his Listowel maiden win last time.
That looked quite a reasonable maiden with Sharavati making most of the running to beat Poker School and Outflanker. Pat Smullen's mount was hardly suited by that tight track and with the extra two furlongs around Leopardstown should now be in his element.
Christy Roche however can go one better than Oxx with a three timer. The jockey arrangements for the opening maiden suggest that the Brief Truce colt Sideman is the stable fancied, despite Flame Violent having won on her debut at the Curragh.
Roche and Aidan O'Brien can follow up immediately when Strawberry Roan is difficult to oppose in a less than distinguished Derrinstown 1,000 Guineas Trial.
Michael Kinane should prevail with Wizard King, going for his fourth win in Ireland and his fifteenth in all, in the Amethyst Stakes, en route to graduating to full Group class this year.
