Deep Field Awaits Australia at Leopardstown
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Coolmore and partners' brilliant dual Derby winner Australia tries for a fourth straight top-level win this season in the QIPCO Irish Champion Stakes (Ire-I) Sept. 13 at Leopardstown.
The son of Galileo comfortably won the Juddmonte International (Eng-I) Aug. 20 at York, defeating Prix du Jockey Club (Fr-I, French Derby) victor The Grey Gatsby, who reopposes in the seven-horse field for Saturday's 1 1/4-mile race.
On the line is a fees-paid, automatic starting berth in the Nov. 1 Breeders' Cup Turf (gr. IT) at Santa Anita Park, a 1 1/2-mile race for which Australia is under consideration as well as some other races in Europe this fall.
"I'd say the ground would have plenty of say in where he goes," trainer Aidan O'Brien told the BBC. "We'll take it one step at a time and see what happens at the weekend.
"The Breeders' Cup would have to be a possibility. I suppose he'd get his quick ground."
Australia was a close-up third in the Two Thousand Guineas (Eng-I) in May before winning the Investec Epsom Derby (Eng-I) and Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby (Ire-I), both at 1 1/2 miles in successive starts in June and July, respectively. He cut back in trip for the Juddmonte International and won the 1 1/4-mile test at the Irish Champion distance by two lengths.
O'Brien also sends out Kingfisher, runner-up to Australia in the Irish Derby.
Australia is the overwhelming 1-3 favorite with some bookmakers for the Irish Champion Stakes. O'Brien believes the colt's biggest threats are The Grey Gatsby, who was supplemented to the race, and multiple group I winner Al Kazeem.
Runner-up to The Fugue in last year's race, Al Kazeem was an elite group I performer in 2013 with three consecutive wins: the Tattersalls Gold Cup (Ire-I) at the Curragh, Prince of Wales's (Eng-I) at Royal Ascot, and the Coral Eclipse (Eng-I) at Sandown. He set a track record for 1 1/4 miles at Windsor in the Aug. 23 Winter Hill Stakes (Eng-II), taking more than a second off the track standard. That start was his second of a comeback after a stint at stud where he proved subfertile.
Rounding out the field are 2014 Coral Eclipse winner and Emirates Airline Dubai World Cup (UAE-I) runner-up Mukhadram; Trading Leather, winner of last year's Irish Derby and second to Mukhadram in the Coral Eclipse; and stakes-winning sprinter Alkasser.
Saturday's card also includes the Coolmore Fastnet Rock Matron Stakes (Ire-I), in which recent O'Brien's Darley Yorkshire Oaks (Eng-I) winner Tapestry is the 2-1 favorite in the 10-horse field of fillies and mares.
The race is part of the Breeders' Cup Challenge "Win & You're In" series for the Filly & Mare Turf (gr. IT).
QIPCO Irish Champion Stakes (Ire-I), Leopardstown, 3YO&Up, 1 1/4 miles
No. PP. Horse (Where Bred) (Sire), Jockey, Weight, Trainer
1. 3. Al Kazeem (GB) (Dubawi), J. Doyle, 133, R. Charlton
2. 4. Mukhadram (GB) (Shamardal), P. Hanagan, 133, W. Haggas
3. 1. Trading Leather (IRE) (Teofilo), K. Manning, 133, J. Bolger
4. 7. Alkasser (IRE) (Shamardal), P. Smullen, 126, D K Weld
5. 5. Australia (GB) (Galileo), J. O'Brien, 126, A. O'Brien
6. 6. Kingfisher (IRE) (Galileo), J. Heffernan, 126, A. O'Brien
7. 2. The Grey Gatsby (IRE) (Mastercraftman), R. Moore, 126, K. Ryan
Coolmore Fastnet Rock Matron Stakes (Ire-I), 3YO&Up, fillies and mares, one mile
No. PP. Horse (Where Bred) (Sire), Jockey, Weight, Trainer
1. 4. Fiesolana (IRE) (Aussie Rules), W. Lee, 131, W. McCreery
2. 2. Kenhope (FR) (Kendargent), C. Lemaire, 131, H. A. Pantall
3. 7. Purr Along (GB) (Mount Nelson), J. Spencer, 131, J. Murtagh
4. 1. Tobann (IRE) (Teofilo), K. Manning, 131, J. Bolger
5. 5. Wannabe Better (IRE) (Duke of Marmalade), W. Lordan, 131, T. Stack
6. 6. Flying Jib (GB) (Oasis Dream), P. Smullen, 131, D. Weld
7. 10. Palace (IRE) (Fastnet Rock), J. Heffernan, 126, A. O'Brien
8. 3. Rizeena (IRE) (Iffraaj), R. Moore, 126, C. Brittain
9. 9. Tapestry (GB) (Galileo) J. O'Brien, 126, A. O'Brien
10. 8. Wee Jean (GB) (Captain Gerrard), J. Fanning, 126, M. Channon