Pleasing debut by O'Brien juvenile

Aidan O'Brien already has three Group One winners among his juvenile team and Black Rock Desert's impressive debut at the Curragh on Saturday hinted strongly that he too could be destined for the top.

After the $650,000 yearling purchase put five easy lengths between himself and Robzelda in the Guardian Maiden, Ladbrokes make Black Rock Desert as low as 12 to 1 for the 1999 2,000 Guineas. O'Brien's post-race comments only added to the favourable impression.

"This fellow is very good. We have always rated him highly. He has done nothing for the last two weeks because he stumbled at home and took some hair off his knees.

"He hated that ground but he has a great mind and settles and quickens so well. His options are all open and he could run again this season," O'Brien enthused.

The Irish Cesarewitch looked competitive beforehand but not afterwards, for the English raider Sweetness Herself pulverised the home opposition by seven lengths.

It was first winner in Ireland for 23 year old Navan-born rider Pat McCabe, and Sweetness Herself was the first runner in Ireland for Newmarket trainer Mick Ryan since he won the 1984 1,000 Guineas with Katies.

"We've always wanted to come back but after Katies we had to make sure it was with a good one!" said Ryan's son John. "She's at her best on soft ground and we just don't have the consistent ground in England that you have here."

A slow early pace in the Blenheim Stakes meant hard-luck stories were always likely and the favourite, Rolo Tomasi, was one of the victims. John Murtagh could not get a run until well inside the final furlong and by the time Rolo Tomasi did get out, Immovable Option had flown.

"That was a good race and Michael (Kinane) rode him very well," said Immovable Option's trainer Dermot Weld. "That's probably it for the season but I might consider the Group Three Killavullen Stakes. That will tell us whether he's a sprinter or a Guineas horse."

John Oxx won his fifth C L Weld Park Stakes when Rafayda reversed previous Curragh form with the favourite, Dazzling Park, beating her by a length.

"She is a filly with plenty of potential and could be a classic contender. We will start her at 10 furlongs next year and move up," said Oxx, who intends saddling Winona for the Grade One Yellow Ribbon Stakes at Santa Anita on November 8th.

Darina made all to land the Mitsubishi Diamond Race, an appropriate winner in the circumstances as she was bought as a yearling by the late Jack Doyle. "I think Jack was riding her today," said trainer Jim Bolger.

Michael Grassick's San Sebastian, third in the Group One Prix du Cadran on Saturday, has been installed the 8 to 1 second favourite for the English Cesarewitch at Newmarket in 12 days time.

"If he comes back from France sound and we are happy with him then he is a likely runner at Newmarket," said Grassick yesterday. San Sebastian won the Ascot Stakes at Royal Ascot last June.