The Killavullan Stakes (Group 3)
October 29, 2011
A last chance to shake up the 2000 Guineas and Derby markets of 2012 before winter sets in comes courtesy of the feature race on Leopardstown’s last flat card.
This race has previously been won by Grey Swallow in 2003 and Footstepsinthesand in 2004 who both went on to record classic successes the following year. The former added the Irish Derby while the latter’s only subsequent run was to win the Newmarket Guineas.
Six line out with the inexperienced being the ones to concentrate on.
Nephrite was an easy winner of a Curragh maiden on good to soft ground. A son of Pivotal, he will surely like the rain softened ground after the deluge which hit Dublin last Monday and he is a real possibility for both the Guineas and the Derby. A good run will push him to prominence in the betting for both. Aidan O’Brien will be well aware the opposition always planned to run their one in this so it is most interesting that he has decided to put it up to them.
And what of the opposition?
The brother as he will become known did it well in a listed contest also at the Curragh when getting the better of Pearl In The Sand, naturally a daughter of Footstepsinthesand. That form reads very well now considering she was second to Crusade, winner of the Middle Park on Future Champions Day on her previous run.
Sea The Stars started in maiden company and the fact that John Oxx started off the brother in a listed race is significant. He knew he would be up to it and up to it he was even though he ran green. He showed a serious turn of foot when pulled out by Johnny Murtagh to easily pull clear in the last furlong. The ground may be a slight concern here but he will most likely have the ability to handle it.
There is a line of form to both horses through Lanette Lady who ran in the listed race when beaten 5 1/4 L and was then beaten 6 3/4 L by Nephrite next time out. This would give the advantage to the Ballydoyle inmate, however that reading would be strictly on the book. It’s value here will be to tell us these are both serious colts.
Today we should remember a very special mare. We should say a very large and special thank you to her. Urban Sea. An Arc winner herself, she gave us Galileo and if that wasn’t enough she then gave us Sea The Stars. Her last act on earth was to give us one more precious one. Owned by the Tsui family as was his mother and brother this colt by Invincible Spirit was born in the Irish National Stud on the 2nd March 2009. She died a day later. Her already wonderful legacy lives on through her two sons. A third is about to add to that, Born To Sea.
Footnote
Get excited about Born To See but before you get too excited read the post on the Beresford Stakes. Then get excited about both of them.
