Tag Archive for: Azazat

Tahiyra in top form after Newmarket, but next run yet to be decided

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Dermot Weld reports Tahiyra to have returned from Newmarket in good form following her brave second in the Qipco 1000 Guineas.

Making just her third start in the one-mile Classic, the daughter of Siyouni was sent off the 6-4 favourite in the hands of Chris Hayes and belied her trainer’s pre-race trepidation the race may have come a touch too soon by fighting out a thrilling finish with the Saeed bin Suroor-trained winner Mawj.

Ultimately the lack of a prep run may have played its part, but the Rosewell House handler described her performance as “excellent” and she lost little in defeat up against the race-fit winner.

Tahiyra and Chris Hayes going to post before the Qipco 1000 Guineas
Tahiyra and Chris Hayes going to post before the Qipco 1000 Guineas (Nigel French/PA)

Tahiyra holds entries in both the Tattersalls Irish 1,000 Guineas and the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot where a rematch with Mawj is a possibility, but although happy his filly has recovered from her Rowley Mile exertions well, Weld will now take his time before electing a next port of call.

He said: “She’s come out of her excellent run at Newmarket very well, but no decisions will be made about her next start for another few weeks, certainly until closer to the Irish 1,000 Guineas.

“She ran an excellent race and has come out of it well.”

A plan is also yet to be finalised for the improving Azazat who built on an encouraging third to Betfred Oaks favourite Savethelastdance to open her account in style at Leopardstown on Sunday.

Azazat ridden by jockey Colin Keane (centre) on their way to winning the Captain Dara Fitzpatrick Memorial Maiden during Derby Trial Day at Leopardstown
Azazat ridden by jockey Colin Keane (centre) on their way to winning the Captain Dara Fitzpatrick Memorial Maiden during Derby Trial Day at Leopardstown (Brian Lawless/PA)

Azazat herself is a best price of 16-1 for the Epsom Classic on June 2, but the daughter of Camelot also holds an entry in the Ribblesdale Stakes at Royal Ascot and the Juddmonte Irish Oaks later in the season.

“She did it very well on Sunday,” continued Weld. “In her race previously she was beaten by Savethelastdance and I thought she did it very well.

“We’re likely to make a decision next week where she will run next and all options are on the table and are open.”

Weld and Aga Khan earn Leopardstown compensation

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The Aga Khan may have been narrowly denied Qipco 1000 Guineas success at Newmarket, but there was at least some compensation at Leopardstown, where the owner enjoyed a double.

Whereas the vanquished Rowley Mile runner-up Tahiyra has already proven herself as a top-class operator, trainer Dermot Weld and the owner could have another on their hands in Azazat, who built on an encouraging third at the Dublin track last month to win the Captain Dara Fitzpatrick Memorial Maiden in impressive fashion.

The Camelot filly, sent off the 4-6 favourite, relished the move up to a mile-and-a-half and holds some exciting options moving forward, with entries in the Betfred Oaks and Irish equivalent at the Curragh. Ascot’s Ribblesdale Stakes is also a possibility, with her sights set to be raised on her next start.

“Colin was very happy with her,” said Kris Weld, assistant trainer to his father. “We took a gamble on two fronts, firstly taking on the colts and secondly, the rain overnight turning the ground close to heavy wasn’t ideal for her.

“They are getting through it and the timing of the race suited well, so we let her take her chance.

“She’s entered in the Ribblesdale and the Oaks. We’ll take it step by step and maybe a race like the Naas Oaks Trial might fit in her programme. She’s a nice filly going forward.”

Also in the colours of the renowned owner, Johnny Murtagh’s Sharlouk (6-5 favourite) broke his duck at the third time of asking in the opening John R Fitzpatrick Agricultural Contractor Maiden.

Sharlouk ridden by Ben Coen wins The John R Fitzpatrick Agricultural Contractor Maiden at Leopardstown
Sharlouk ridden by Ben Coen wins The John R Fitzpatrick Agricultural Contractor Maiden at Leopardstown (Brian Lawless/PA)

“He’s improving and probably didn’t stay the distance the last time. He travels like a very good horse in behind. He’s still learning,” said Murtagh.

“He’s a big, gross horse so I think he’ll improve with a bit of racing, but he has an engine.

“I’ve no firm plans but I’ll speak with Pat (Downes, racing manager) and the team.

“He cruises very well and, being by Zoustar, you would like to thing he would handle better ground as well.”

However, the owner missed out on a treble when Aidan O’Brien’s Warm Heart (13-8 favourite) claimed the other maiden on the card – the 10-furlong Clayton Hotel Leopardstown Fillies Maiden – by a length-and-a- quarter.

Warm Heart ridden by jockey Wayne Lordan (right) wins the Clayton Hotel Leopardstown Fillies Maiden
Warm Heart ridden by jockey Wayne Lordan (right) wins the Clayton Hotel Leopardstown Fillies Maiden (Brian Lawless/PA)

She was cut from 25-1 from 33-1 by Betfair for the Oaks and connections hope she could become a stakes performer in time.

“She’s a lovely filly and had two nice runs in maidens,” said Chris Armstrong, representing O’Brien.

“Coming here we thought she’d be very competitive stepping up in trip and Wayne (Lordan) gave her a lovely ride. It was a proper-run maiden from start to finish.

“She is a filly with plenty of class and one to look forward to over that trip. She could get a bit further, but there are plenty of lovely races for her at a mile and a quarter.

“Hopefully she is a stakes filly in the making.”