Ouija remains on target for Breeders' Cup
(Racing Post)
by David Lawrence and Tony O'Hehir
OUIJA BOARD remains on target for her main objective - winning a second Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare crown - following her narrow defeat by Dylan
Thomas at the Curragh on Saturday.
Whether the Ed Dunlop-trained five-year-old goes to America without another run, however, will not be decided until connections have had a chance to evaluate how she is following her neck second in the Irish Champion Stakes.
Dunlop was on a flight bound for Keeneland on Sunday, but his racing secretary Peter Shoemark said: "Everything is now being geared towards the Breeders' Cup on November 4.
"But it's later this year than it was when Ouija Board won it two seasons ago, so there's still time for her to have another race in Europe, if that's what's decided is best for her."
Shoemark added: "As far as I am aware, she has taken her trip to Ireland well and Ed will be discussing the next move with her owner as soon as he gets an opportunity.
"She's in the Champion Stakes, the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe and the Prix de l'Opera, so thereare options open to her if it's decided she is ready for another run before America."
The Breeders' Cup Classic had been mentioned as a target for Dylan Thomas immediately after that success but exact plans have yet to be finalised. Winning trainer Aidan O'Brien said on Sunday: "Dylan Thomas seemed to be fine this morning. We pulled him out and he had a stroll. We are no further down the road regarding plans for him but we'll be having a talk about things over the next week or so."
RedEvie looks set to bid for a second Group 1 prize this month, having come out her win in the Matron Stakes at The Curragh on Saturday "very well".
The Michael Bell-trained filly, who began this season as a maiden with a Racing Post Rating of just 52 but has now won seven races in a row, is on target to tackle the Sun Chariot Stakes at Newmarket on September 30.
Bell, whose charge was still in transit on Sunday following her successful sortie to Ireland, said: "She faces quite a long journey home, but she seems very well.
"She seemed to take the Curragh race in her stride and, from what I gather, she's in good form, so we'll probably be aiming for the Sun Chariot.
"There's a race at Keeneland a couple of weeks later that we might consider as analternative, but I'm inclined to think the Newmarket option is more likely."
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