Japanese mare Hana's Goal could be the x-factor in the Coolmore Classic according to gracious host John O'Shea, who wants turn party pooper at Rosehill on Saturday.
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Hana's Goal, a group 3 winner over a mile in Japan, has settled into life at the John O'Shea stable since coming out of quarantine and wants to leave a group 1 winner from either the Coolmore Classic or Doncaster Mile during The Championships.
"She has done extraordinarily well since she got here," O'Shea said.
Craig Williams has been booked to ride in the Coolmore Classic and has the right of first refusal on the Japanese mare in the Doncaster on April 12.
While O'Shea has been a welcoming host he will look to take home the group 1 himself with the talented mare White Sage and three-year-old filly Gypsy Diamond, which have been aimed at the Coolmore Classic.
White Sage has had a long-term goal of winning the Coolmore Classic since a summer campaign that finished with her unbeaten when she took care of Terravista in the Festival Stakes.
She was third as favourite behind Catkins and Steps In Time in the Breeders Classic and then never got into the Liverpool City Cup last time when she finished midfield.
"She has been trained differently this time and we have tried to ride her back but on Saturday with a light weight she will be rolling forward and be back at her best," O'Shea said.
James McDonald continues his partnership with White Sage, while Kerrin McEvoy has been booked for Gypsy Diamond, which will get in on the 52kg limit. Three-year-olds will play a key role in the Coolmore with Surround quinella Thump and Real Surreal targeting the group 1.
Chris Waller-trained Catkins is the likely favourite for the Coolmore Classic where stablemate Red Tracer is topweight, with a decision to be made on whether she will run later in the week. Waller said Red Tracer had taken no ill-effects from been skittled in the first couple of strides of the Canterbury Stakes before running a brave third.
He will also run Royal Descent and Arinosa, while Peter Moody is likely to back up Time For Julia after her win on Saturday. Dear Demi, Steps In Time, Fire Up Fifi and Sharnee Rose will also be among the entries for the race, which is restricted to 20 runners and is likely to require a ballot.
Meanwhile, Irish sprinter-miler Gordon Lord Byron has reportedly travelled the best he has in any of his overseas sojourns and will be spot-on for the George Ryder Stakes on March 29.
Trainer Tom Hogan was a keen observer of the Canterbury Stakes and believes Gordon Lord Byron will be a major player in the TJ Smith during the The Championships.
Gordon Lord Byron will be the centre of the TAB's promotion for St Patrick's Day on Monday with his odds to be doubled in the TJ Smith and Doncaster MIle from 11am.
"He is currently $26 and punters will be able to get $51 from 11am on Monday with a maximum bet of $50," TAB's Glenn Munsie said.
