TRUTH OR DARE faces an acid test in today's Group Two Gallinule Stakes at the Curragh when the Budweiser Irish Derby bound colt takes on some older and very much more experienced rivals including the globetrotting Needle Gun and Prince Of Andros, both of whom have won Group races over this course.
Although by Royal Academy out of an eight furlong winner, Truth Or Dare appears to stay. He certainly was not running out of puff when winning the Group Three Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial over ten furlongs at Leopardstown. Indeed, according to rider Christy Roche he would have no problems in getting a mile and six furlongs. So, the Derby trip should be well within his compass. He was most impressive in winning his maiden over a mile here in April and again when trouncing Touch Judge at Leopardstown. True, the latter subsequently cut little ice in the Italian Derby at Capannelle, but Charles O'Brien's charge could have done no more. Truth Or Dare is no morning glory at home but reserves his best for the racecourse. I hope he comes through this pretty searching test.
It would appear that Needle Gun is the one Truth Or Dare will have to beat. A firm ground horse, probably at his best over ten furlongs, this Clive Brittain trained six year old was a close second behind the small German filly Hollywood Dream on heavy ground in a Group One at Capannelle last time out. He was previously unplaced behind Cigar in the Dubai World Cup, but was just beaten by fellow globetrotting rival Partipral in the Hong Kong International in December.
While he is experienced, Needle Gun does have his limitations, as was evident in the Group One Champion Stakes at Leopardstown last September when everything was in his favour. Compatriot Prince Of Andros was beaten half a length in this event last year, but prior to that won the Group Two Tattersalls Gold Cup over this course and distance. But he has shown little in his two races this season.
Jim Bolger runs Al Mohaajir, who ran a terrible race behind Definite Article in the Tattersalls Gold Cup last month, but I am prepared to overlook that one lapse. He had previously run Definite Article to less than a length in a listed race over this course and distance and that was his form. His Excellence was an also ran in the Italian Derby and much as I respect the tough and consistent Dermot Weld trained Humbel - who does duty for the younger Irish Derby bound Zagreb, himself on trial at Leopardstown next Wednesday - this Irish St Leger hopeful may find the trip too short. I will stay by Truth Or Dare.
The remainder of the programme is not exactly riveting. Runner up to the smart Sharazan at Leopardstown, the Con Collins trained Kimu can win the concluding Sir Ivor Maiden. The in form trainer may also win the opening Golden Fleece Maiden with God Forhid who did not have the best of passages behind Verglas at Leopardstown and the Santa Claus Handicap with Forsake Me Not.
Pat Flynn also has his charges in good form and Cooraclare, recently successful over this course can win the Hard Ridden Handicap.
LADY CARLA proved that money can buy success in racing when repaying her 220,000 guineas purchase price to land the Oaks by one of the widest winning margins at Epsom yesterday.
She annihilated her 10 rivals to capture the prize by nine lengths from Pricket and secure a second fillies classic of the season for owner Wafic Said, Henry Cecil and Pat Eddery.
She set up a possible Oaks Derby double for Cecil, who saddles Dushyantor, Storm Trooper and Clever Cliche today, and Eddery, who partners the favourite, Dushyantor.
Lady Carla was sent past front runner Moody's Cat approaching the two furlong marker and she turned the race into a procession, leaving the hot favourite Pricket and Mezzogiorno to fight out the minor placings.
Eddery, winning his third Oaks but his first since 1979, couldn't believe his eyes when he looked round for dangers. "I gave her one small slap and she took off. I had no idea how far clear we were but when I checked, I was amazed. If we'd had something to help her along, she would really have gone," he enthused.
Wafic Said, the Syrian millionaire whose colours were carried to 1,000 Guineas success by Bosra Sham, embraced Cecil following this fourth Oaks win. "It is the understatement of the day to say I am happy. I am overjoyed, over the moon and it's all thanks to Henry Cecil. What he has done is unbelievable. He is a star."
Victory looked all the sweeter for Cecil because he had trained Pricket, the 7-4 favourite, last season until losing her to Godolphin following his split with Sheikh Mohammed.
But, though be is now back competing in the classic arena after seeing Godolphin clinch four classics with ex inmates, he refused to gloat.
Racing goes in roundabouts. It is a great leveller. You are up one minute, down the next. The best thing to do is keep at it and hope things will put you right. But I'm enjoying myself, I'm on my second life," he said.
Pricket was a lovely filly last year and second in a Classic is not bad but Lady Carla has won amazingly easily. I never expected her to win like that. We'll have to sit down and think about her next race. What a lovely broodmare she and Bosra Sham are going to make. I look forward to training their offspring."
Lady Carla looked good enough to take on the colts but a run in the Irish Derby appears unlikely with King Alex expected to carry the Said colours at the Curragh.
Pricket failed to deliver a third successive Oaks winner for Godolphin.
