When Elegant Man lines up in the Coolmore Stud Sottsass Irish EBF Mooresbridge Stakes at the Curragh, it will be a big afternoon for owners Amo Racing.
Arrogate's son of Adrian Murray has been restricted to playing on synthetic surfaces thus far in his career, but he has won three of his four appearances and made a lasting impression in March when he played all under top weight in Newcastle's Easter Classic.
Now, he ventures into more challenging waters for the first time on turf, and his handler is optimistic he can perform well in this Group Two competition.
“He’s been a very good horse for us since we’ve had him and he’s improving all the time, but tomorrow will be a big test for him on the turf,” said Murray. “I think he will be fine and he actually ran in a schooling race there (at the Curragh) about two months ago and we were quite happy with him. He’s at the stage now where he’s entitled to step up and you would hope he will keep on improving. You would imagine he would keep climbing the ladder and he’s getting better with every run.”
With White Birch, the Derby winner from the previous year, making an incredible comeback in the Alleged Stakes last month, Elegant Man will undoubtedly face stiff competition in the 10-furlong race. The stable star of John Murphy is hoping to build on his success over both the course and distance.
He finished a neck ahead of Joseph O'Brien's Maxux, with Jessica Harrington's Village Voice, which was also present on the premises, finishing third, and Frankel's daughter again in opposition.
In the Coolmore Stud Little Big Bear Irish EBF Athasi Stakes, where Jumbly is expected to try to build on her second-place finish in the Gladness Stakes, Owning Hill handler O'Brien also has a strong hand.
With his impressive performance in a course and distance maiden in March, Arizona Blaze gave Amo and Murray a great start to the season. Now, connections are looking ahead to Royal Ascot as the gifted son of Sergei Prokofiev aims for listed glory in the GAIN First Flier Stakes.
Murray added: “I think he will run a huge race tomorrow. The sire has started well and is flying and Arizona Blaze looks a real nice horse. You would expect he will improve from his debut and he is one we will definitely be targeting Royal Ascot with. We will be hoping he is good enough to win on Monday.”