Betting Tips for the Irish Oaks

July 11, 2008 - Donald Jones Another weekend, another Group One and surely another Ballydoyle winner?
 
On Sunday the spotlight falls on The Curragh for the Darley Irish Oaks which has been won in the past by the likes of Ouija Board.
 
Make no mistake Aidan O'Brien is going for a hat-trick of wins in the  run 1m 4f  race. He will be well represented with six runners from the 14 that stand their ground.  Last weekend the maestro had plenty for the Irish Derby and it was one of the less fancied runners, Frozen Fire that took the honours. But this time around the market should focus on Moonshine - my pick for the race.

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The daughter of Dalakhani is a maiden - her career form reads 2,4,2 - but the caliber of those last two races justify support.
 
Moonstone was 4th to the Jim Bolger trained Lush Lashes in the Musidora at York. The victor that day subsequently went on to win the Coronation Stakes at Ascot.
 
More significantly the O'Brien filly finished 2nd Ralph Beckett's Look Here in the Juddmonte Oaks. The three-length winner that day was a 33-1 shot but I believe history will show that that was a significant renewal.
 
Moonshine re-opposes with the John Oxx trained  Katiyra who finished 3rd after struggling with Epsom track. She should prefer the Irish venue and represents the main danger.
 
But the Epsom Classic is not the only Oaks form, Gagnoa chased home three lengths behind the unbeaten Zarkava in the French version. Andre Fabre's filly is owned by Michael Tabor and while much rests on who Johnny Murtagh picks for his ride I'm working on the basis that the form of Epsom race will win at the end of the day.
 
Selection: Moonshine.

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