Order Of Australia the favourite in the Minstrel Stakes

Curragh, Sunday 17 July: The first Group 2 race of today`s event at the Curragh, the Minstrel Stakes (2nd race/15.10pm/120,000 Euro/1410m), is aimed at three-year-olds and older horses. Order Of Australia (Ryan Moore), who won the Breeders` Cup two years ago, made his seasonal debut in the Queen Anne Stakes (Group 1) and certainly impressed when finishing third. The O`Brien protégé can`t avoid the role of favourite, but he has a tough task on his hands with Pearls Galore (W. Lee), who came up trumps in the Lanwades Stud Stakes (Group 2). Dr Zempf (Colin Keane) is pushing hard to be the winner of the Ballycorus Stakes (Group 3).

Mares are the target of the Kilboy Estate Stakes (5th race/16.55/120,000 Euro/1810 m). The way to victory leads through Purplepay (Tom Marquand), who ran strongly in the Prix de Sandringham (Group 2). Potapova (Colin Keane) showed she belongs to the top of the age group in the Princess Elizabeth Stakes (Group 3) when second and is also eligible for the front places. Rumbles Of Thunder (W. Lee) and Seisai (Shane Crosse) are other promising contenders.