Sport

John Oxx bullish as Sea The Stars backed for Eclipse glory

Simon Milham
1 Jul 2009

Sponsors of the Coral-Eclipse have cut the odds of dual Classic winner Sea The Stars after John Oxx said he was confident his colt can succeed where Motivator and Authorized failed.

Both were impressive winners of the Epsom Derby but were unable to land prohibitive odds in the Group 1 Sandown contest on their next assignments.

But following his Derby romp, Irish trainer Oxx hopes the same fate does not await Sea The Stars, who was cut to 4-5 from 10-11 with Coral. He said: "Motivator and Authorized were both sons of Montjeu coming down in distance, they didn't contest the Guineas - they were both coming down in trip trying to prove a point.

"This fellow is different, he's a Guineas winner. They both ran very well, they just didn't win."

Having raced just five times in his career, this is Sea The Stars's first attempt at 10 furlongs and Oxx believes it will suit the Cape Cross colt. "It should be a good distance for him," he added.

"We'll try him at this and see how he goes. It's nice to win the top races over a variety of distances - he's already won them over a mile and a mile and a half.

Sea The Stars was pulled out of last Sunday's Irish Derby because of soft ground, but Oxx does not believe the going will be a factor this time.

"At the moment it's very hot and they could get a thundery shower. We'll monitor it, but it's not the same situation as last week as there's not a lot of moisture in the ground to begin with - the Curragh ground was always likely to change quickly."

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IT will be VERy INTERESTING 2 SEE IF Sea The Stars
can BUCK the recent jiinx of (Epsom) Derby winners
that have failed to capture the Eclipse and SHARE the
same distinction as Nashwan to win the Guineas , Derby and Eclipse when bypassing the Irish Derby

I think Oxx was ALWAYS thinking about "shortening"
this horse up to 10 furlongs, given his POST race
commentary after the Guineas and his reserationa about getting the 12 furlong trip

He would like to AVOID having Sea The Stars being

all OUT OF GAS by Arc time and he may DULPICATE

his preparation that he employed with Sinndar minus a

run at the Curragh (the IRISH Derby) with a mile and a

half "re- test" run over the Arc surface in the Prix

Niel (Fr II) at Longchamp

The Breeders Cup wuld be a less likely option

should he run in the Arc, since Sinndar was promptly

retired after dethroning the defending champ Montjeu,

Perhaps he will go in the BC Turf or Classic

after running in the Arc but the chancea are better'

if they ALTER course and go for 10 furlong jewels in

near horizon such as the nternational at York and the

Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown

With no Aga Khan ties, Oxx and the connections he is

may enploy more FLEXIBILTY in where they go and who

knows
whatever riute they choose to take will lead them to Santa Anita and the Cup

let's hope so

- Courtland Simmons, wilmington north carolina USA, 02/07/2009 03:19
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