It hasn't been done in over 25 years, but Cazoo Oaks heroine Tuesday (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) could bid to become the first filly since Balanchine (Storm Bird {Can}) in 1994 to win the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby on Saturday, her trainer Aidan O'Brien has revealed.
Luxembourg (Ire) (Camelot {GB}), who many believed was the ace in O'Brien's three-year-old pack, was sidelined shortly after finishing third in the 2000 Guineas and, after drawing a blank in the Derby, the master of Ballydoyle admitted that he may yet turn to the brilliant Oaks winner Tuesday in his bid to win the Irish Derby for a whopping 15th time.
A decision will be made for definite on Tuesday, according to O'Brien, who said, “It's possible we could supplement Tuesday and we'll decide in the morning.”
Last week's G2 King Edward VII S. winner Changingoftheguard (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) performed best of the O'Brien-trained colts in the Derby but never landed a blow on the winner Desert Crown (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}) back in fifth.
Stablemate Stone Age (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), sent off 7-2 and ridden by Ryan Moore at Epsom, could only manage sixth, yet the market suggests he is the number one Irish Derby hope for Ballydoyle at odds of 9-2.
The Ralph Beckett-trained Westover (GB) (Frankel {GB}), an unlucky third in the Derby, is a 5-4 favourite to gain compensation in Saturday's Curragh showpiece.
O'Brien enjoyed another successful Royal Ascot last week, once again being crowned leading trainer at the meeting over the five days, which saw him land his 900th Group or Graded race. He also moved within one of Sir Michael Stoute as the leading trainer at the fixture with his 81st winner.
Tuesday's Oaks form also took a boost on Sunday when Nashwa (GB) (Frankel {GB}), third at Epsom, stormed to French Oaks glory at Chantilly.
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