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On Friday evening, Cork hosts an eight-race card featuring the Group 3 Give Thanks Stakes and the Listed Platinum Stakes.
In the 1m4f Group 3 Give Thanks Stakes (5:52), the three-year-olds head the market. Aidan O'Brien is doubly represented with Boogie Woogie and Library, who both have the benefit of a fillies' allowance. Boogie Woogie returns to the UK after a useful second in the Group 3 Prix de Royaumont behind Ottery, who races in Saturday's Group 2 Prix de Pomone at Deauville. Out of Irish Oaks winner Seventh Heaven, Boogie Woogie seemed to improve for the step up to twelve furlongs but her form figures would suggest she may prefer a bit of ease in the ground.
Stablemate Library out-ran odds of 80/1 when finishing third in the Group 1 Irish Oaks behind Savethelastdance and has already won in Listed company this year, taking the ten furlong Naas Oaks Trial in late June on good ground. The daughter of Galileo did not appear to stay when well-beaten by the re-opposing Shamida in the Group 3 Stanerra Stakes over 1m6f and she has slender preference over her stablemate, despite Ryan Moore being jocked up on Boogie Woogie.
Shamida represents the in-form Dermot Weld yard, which boasts a strike rate of 27% from the last fourteen days. The daughter of Australia stepped up into Group 3 company following a twelve-furlong maiden success at Leopardstown and won the Stanerra Stakes over 1m6f on good ground at Leopardstown. Further progression is expected, although she may be vulnerable to a turn of foot from a faster rival – her pedigree is very stamina-based, with siblings showing their best form over 1m4f and upwards.
WIN: LIBRARY
Tarawa is searching for a victory in the 7f Listed Irish Stallion Farms Irish EBF Platinum Stakes (5:20), having placed in Listed and Group company three times this season. The first-time visor is applied in the hope of eking out further improvement but the form of her third behind Zarinsk in the Group 2 Minstrel Stakes over seven furlongs reads well in the context of this race. Fourth behind Tahiyra in the Group 1 Irish 1000 Guineas earlier in the campaign, Tarawa is clearly a filly with talent although she is beginning to shape like a horse who will always find one better.
With this in mind, it is not out of the question that Tarawa could fall prey to Cosmic Vega, who did not have the easiest passage through the race when fifth in the Group 2 Minstrel Stakes on soft ground. The five-year-old is better judged on his Listed Owenstown Stud Stakes at Naas previously, where he was always keen and held on for a short head success over Sharlouk. Despite his age, the gelding continues to improve and is versatile in a variety of different conditions.
Of the longer priced runners, Andrew Slattery's Bells On Her Toes (16/1) steps up into Listed company for the first time. She impressed with a three length success in a sixteen-runner Galway Festival handicap last start, and the winning margin could have easily been more. The four-year-old performs well over seven furlongs and a place would not surprise at relatively long odds.
WIN: COSMIC VEGA