Back to cooler Curragh will suit Hotazhell
Contrary to what Hotazhell’s name may suggest, his connections seem to prefer avoiding fast surfaces if they can help it.
At his last fighting win in the Group 1 Futurity Trophy (1,600m) at Doncaster on Oct 26, trainer Jessica Harrington even said there should be no reason he would not do well on a good to firm track, even if it was untested ground for the four-time winner by Too Darn Hot.
However, one hour before the running of the Group 1 Poule d’Essai des Poulains (1,600m), or French 2000 Guineas, on May 11, Hotazhell was scratched because of the unsuitable ground.
It would seem the consensus was to still play it safe – live to fight another day by waiting for a bit of sting out of the ground.
The €285,000 (S$415,000) Group 1 Irish 2000 Guineas (1,600m) on May 24 (10.40pm Singapore time) at his home track of The Curragh, where he won twice over going rated as good to firm in certain places and good to yielding in the Group 2 Beresford Stakes (1,600m), was the ideal fall-back option.
Regular partner Shane Foley was disappointed with the last-minute French withdrawal as everything had gone to the minute for that first-up run, but the Irish jockey has cooled his heels and is looking forward to Saturday.
“Obviously it was tough at the time, he was there and in good shape. We just felt Longchamp can be a sharp track on that fast ground, we know our lads,” said Foley.
“We knew The Curragh was around the corner and we knew we’ll get the rain.
“He had a breeze last week and he had a bit of work this morning, and he felt good. It’s all systems go.”
Foley is not concerned about Hotazhell heading into the Irish 2000 Guineas after a break of seven months.
The 37-year-old jockey from Kilkenny said his mount has been prepped to a tee for his return.
It is no doubt the way he has held his own against the best three-year-olds of his generation that prompted Foley to say he would not swop him for anything else.
In the Futurity, Hotazhell upstaged Aidan O’Brien’s leading Epsom Derby prospect Delacroix by a nose after an epic battle down the Doncaster straight.
At The Curragh two starts earlier in the Irish Futurity Stakes, he ran out of his skin, but found another O’Brien too good, Henri Matisse, who went on to win the French 2000 Guineas that he skipped.
“His form is really really strong. Only Henri Matisse beat him at The Curragh, and I don’t think the race was run to suit over seven furlongs,” said Foley.
“He’s a solid horse and I’m looking forward to get him out. It’s his first run, whatever he does, he will definitely improve.”
Foley is anything but dismissing the opposition the colt will face, especially likely favourite Field Of Gold, who caused the sacking of Kieran Shoemark by the John and Thady Gosden yard after his narrow second to Ruling Court in the Group 1 2000 Guineas (1,600m) on May 3.
Colin Keane will take the ride on the Juddmonte-owned Kingman colt, a winner of three from six.
“Field Of Gold looks a very straightforward horse. I think The Curragh will suit him,” said Foley.
“But it’s a strong field and The Curragh is a bit more demanding.
“It should play to his strengths as it should play to my lad’s. I think it’ll be a truly run solid race.”
The other rival Foley is not losing sight of is the horse spearheading O’Brien’s four-pronged attack, Officer.
The son of Dubawi has yet to score at Group level but was highly impressive at his Listed Tetrarch Stakes (1,600m) win at The Curragh on May 5.
“Officer stepped up a lot from his race against older horses,” said Foley.
“He’s a good horse and it’ll be interesting to see who among the other Ballydoyle contingent turns up.
“But I wouldn’t swop my lad.”
O’Brien has also entered Expanded, Serengeti and Trinity College, but the Irish training supremo has singled out Officer as his main chance.
“Officer is the main contender at the moment. He won the Tetrarch at The Curragh,” he said.
“He seems to have come out of it very well. For the moment, he looks to be our main one.
“He stepped back when he ran in the seven furlongs at his previous run (March 29), but has come on since.”
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