SUSIE STAYS IN IRELAND WITH OAKS DEFENCE IN MIND

Ian Fortune

Reigning Sporting Press Irish Oaks and Boylesports Derby champion Susie Sapphire made her first public appearance since capturing the Bresbet Easter Cup last month at Shelbourne Park when trialling yesterday evening.

The brilliant daughter of Droopys Jet looked in tip top order, posting a rapid 18.55 for the sprint trip despite taking a slight stumble at boxes.  It was a spin that allowed Peter Comerford and Owen McKenna to finally make a decision on her next target.

Just moments after the trial, McKenna confirmed that she will be staying in Ireland with the defence of her Sporting Press Oaks crown in mind. It means she will not be journeying across the water for a crack at the Star Sports & TRC English Derby.

Said Owen of the decision, “We have decided we won’t taking her away from Shelbourne. She came alive when she got out of the van this evening. She just loves the place. We toyed with the idea of Towcester but she has nothing to prove and we’re going to the Oaks.

“Obviously we’ll hope she gets the chance to defend her Derby title later in the year but we’ll take it one comp at a time and the Oaks is the immediate target. She’s so well in herself. The trial was very good, despite taking a stumble at boxes.”