Astaire To Dance To Greenlands Glory

on May 21, 2015 at 7:51 pm

With the likes of Slade Power having won Saturday’s Group 2 Greenlands Stakes at the Curragh 12 months ago, there is little doubt the level of quality that lines-up for this 6f sprint – the question is: who will win this year’s renewal?

Slade To The Rhythm

At first glance, punters may think Slade Power is back for another crack, but it is his close namesake, Sole Power, who gives weight away to the rest of the field on Saturday.

This 8yo showed he is no back number when landing his fifth Group 1 in Dubai a few months ago (5f, good) – with each of those five victories coming over the minimum trip. Once again, Sole Power will be out to try and prove himself over 6f, but with a record of 0-9 over that trip, there may be plenty looking to take him on, especially as nine of the last 10 Greenlands winners had already won over 6f…

Trends Summary
Of the last 10 Greenlands winners…

10 ran in a non-Listed race last time
9 returned 8/1 or shorter
9 won over 6f
8 were 4-6yo’s

Age Versus Youth
One who has no questions to answer over 6f is another 8yo, Maarek, though with just one win in his last 13 outings, he may need as much rain to fall as possible if pegging his younger rivals back.

Another of the older brigade looking to show the youngsters how it’s done is the 7yo, Gordon Lord Byron, who won a Group 2 at Ascot last autumn (heavy), and can never be overlooked, even if below form when last seen two months ago.

Of the younger brigade, Dermot Weld has Mustajeeb, who won a Group 3 at Royal Ascot last year (7f, good), having been third in the Irish Guineas. This will be his first try at sprinting since his racecourse debut over C&D in May 2013, and will need to be ready on this first outing in 203 days.

Brit Challenge
Another 4yo with a leading chance is Richard Hannon’s, Coulsty, who carried on from where he left off last season by landing a Listed event last month (7f, good to firm). A Group 3 winner in France prior to that, Coulsty has earned another crack at Group 2 company.

Other upcoming 4yo’s include Charles O’Brien’s, Iveagh Gardens, who arrives in fine fettle having recorded a career best in winning a Group 3 here 19 days ago (heavy), while Tracey Collins’, Majestic Queen, also recorded a best when taking a Group 3 at Lingfield a fortnight ago (7f, good). She was also a 6f winner last summer.

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