Denton Hall News

Dods hopes The Curragh stays dry as Que Amoro bids for Group 1 glory

TRAINER Michael Dods is hoping the rain clouds stay away from The Curragh as Que Amoro bids for Group 1 glory in Ireland on Sunday.

The flying filly heads across the water for the Derrinstown Flying Five Stakes following her gallant second to Battaash in the Nunthorpe Stakes at York last month.

And Michael is hoping the ground dries out as she takes on another quality field that includes Denis Hogan's multiple listed winner Make A Challenge and Kevin Ryan's Glass Slippers, winner of last season's Prix del'Abbaye.

He gives his assessment of Que Amoro and the stable's three other weekend runners, including Jawwaal in the Portland Handicap at Doncaster, in his regular Weekend Preview:

"We kick off on Saturday with JAWWAAL in the bet365 Portland Handicap at Doncaster. He’s been a star for us this season, winning on his first two runs at Doncaster and Ascot over five furlongs.

He then went to York in a race over five and a half furlongs on ground that was too slow. He finished 10th of 21 that day but was less than five lengths behind the winner.

We think he’s a proper five furlong horse but the Portland is another five and a half furlong contest. That said, the ground should be better than at York and he’ll, hopefully, run well with Callum Rodriguez in the saddle. (He's pictured below with Aidan Redpath.)

Next we have SCARBOROUGHDEBUT in the Visit racingtv.com Nursery Handicap up at Musselburgh. This is her fourth run and she’s progressing nicely. She could do with some rain and it’s forecast to get some up there. She really seems quite sharp and, although it’s a competitive race at this level, she should put up a good account. Paul Mulrennan rides.

Then, on Sunday, QUE AMORO is in action atThe Curragh in Group 1 Derrinstown Stud Flying Five Stakes. She obviously ran a big race to make Battaash pull out all the stops in the Nunthorpe at York last time. She always runs well at York – she seems to like the flat five furlongs there. This is a stiff five and we’re hoping the ground dries up and they don’t get a lot of rain tonight.

She’s well and she’s earned the right to travel over there and compete in a top class race like this. Paul Mulrennan is back in the saddle.

Finally, we have COLD LIGHT OF DAY in the Sky Sports Racing HD Virgin 535 Handicap on the all-weather at Wolverhampton. She got bogged down in heavy ground at Catterick last time but she stays and, if anything, another step up in trip would probably suit. She tries hard and we think the surface will suit her, so hopefully, she runs well. Callum Rodriguez rides.