RACING IRISH DERBY NEWS:THE DUBAI Duty Free Irish Derby weekend kicks off at the Curragh this evening with doubts still persisting as to whether its principal attraction – Sea The Stars – will even line up in Sunday's €1.5 million centrepiece.

The Newmarket 2,000 Guineas and Epsom Derby winner drifted in ante-post betting for Ireland’s premier classic yesterday as trainer John Oxx voiced unease about forecast showers affecting the going at the Curragh.

Oxx believes it could be tomorrow evening, or even Sunday morning, before a final call will be made about Sea The Stars taking his chances in the Derby.

The track authorities estimate a 70 per cent chance of rain hitting the Curragh this morning.

The going on the round course yesterday was officially “good to firm” and “good on the straight”, and it is the finishing stretch that is the focus of Oxx’s unease. He has repeatedly emphasised he won’t risk Sea The Stars on ground he considers too soft.

“It’s fine at the moment and I think most people would be happy as it stands,” he said yesterday. “But from our point of view, the forecast has changed and increased the risk of showers. We will have to wait and see how much rain falls, how heavy the showers are and what effect it has.

“I would imagine we will declare. I think on Sunday morning we will know if we are out of the woods or not. I suppose by the end of Saturday I would hope we will know what the situation is, as I wouldn’t like to leave it to the last minute. I would hope our chances are better than 50-50, but it is in the lap of the gods really,” he added.

However, there was encouragement from the Curragh management yesterday with the prospect of some rain even being welcomed.

“The ground is good on the straight right now after some watering, but by this evening it will have dried out to good to firm,” manager Paul Hensey said. “We would welcome some rain as it would mean not having to water in the morning. We are told there is a 70 per cent chance of showers in which we might get 5-6mm. That would be ideal, and should leave the ground perfect. Saturday and Sunday are meant to be dry and we are very happy with the track’s condition.”

Despite that, Sea The Stars was a drifter in the betting yesterday, sliding from 4 to 6 to 8 to 11 with some firms, while Aidan O’Brien’s main hopefuls, Fame And Glory and Masterofthehorse, came in for sustained support.

Tomorrow’s Audi Pretty Polly Stakes looks like shaping up into a vintage renewal of the Group One event, as last year’s Epsom Oaks winner Look Here has been declared against a top-class field that includes Lush Lashes and Sea The Stars’ stable companion Katiyra.

The opening-day feature is the Listed Ballygallon Stud Stakes, which could see the Gan Amhras team of Jim Bolger and Kevin Manning secure a morale-booster with Gold Bubbles.

Manning’s successful appeal against a two-day suspension allows him ride, and Gold Bubbles should be a major player against her own gender having run into the highly-regarded Steinbeck on her second start at Naas.

This evening’s opening maiden has a history of throwing up top-class horses, with O’Brien winning it in three of the last four years with Horatio Nelson, Duke Of Marmalade and Rip Van Winkle. Horatio Nelson’s half-brother, Viscount Nelson, makes his debut and could kick off a good evening for Ballydoyle.