Albigna options will depend on ground

Molly Hunter
July 15, 2020 1:46 pm

Meld Stakes and Irish Oaks in mix for Harrington’s classy filly.

Jessica Harrington has “various options” as the next target for Group One-winning filly Albigna.

The three-year-old holds entries for both the Green Room Meld Stakes at Leopardstown on Saturday and the Juddmonte Irish Oaks at the Curragh a week later, and could take up either engagement.

After winning her first two juvenile starts, including a Group Two success in the Airlie Stud Stakes, the filly finished sixth behind subsequent dual Classic winner Love in the Moyglare Stud Stakes before claiming a Group One victory in the Prix Marcel Boussac at Longchamp.

A valiant run to finish fourth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf mile followed, and she was made favourite for last month’s Tattersalls Irish 1,000 Guineas as a result of those early exploits.

The good to firm going hindered her chances in the fillies’ Classic, however, as the daughter of Zoffany could finish only sixth behind Aidan O’Brien’s Peaceful.

Ground considerations will be significant in deciding her next target.

“She’s in the Meld Stakes at Leopardstown and she’s also still in the Irish Oaks,” said Harrington.

“So we’re yet to decide – there are various options for her.

“She doesn’t want good to firm ground. As long as the ground is nice, she’s ok – it was just a bit quick at the Curragh on Guineas day, that was all.”

Harrington also issued an update on Millisle, who finished second in the Group Three Coolmore Sioux Nation Lacken Stakes at Naas on Saturday.

The filly was running for a second time since reverting to a distance of six furlongs, having previously suffered her heaviest defeat when finishing seventh in the Qipco 1000 Guineas.

Despite regaining her form at her preferred trip, the three-year-old will not take up her early entry in the July Cup and will instead be targeted at a contest closer to home.

“We’ll run over six or seven furlongs now,” added Harrington.

“We’ll probably look for races in Ireland next – the plan is for her to run her next race here.”