Bondi Beach (nearside)© Photo Healy Racing
Aidan O'Brien is following a tried-and-tested route towards the Ascot Gold Cup with Bondi Beach when he contests the Coolmore Vintage Crop Stakes at Navan on Sunday.
The Galileo colt was briefly the St Leger winner last season. Having finished just behind Simple Verse at Doncaster he was awarded the race in the stewards' room after a bit of argy-bargy. Many were surprised by the decision and connections of Simple Verse appealed and the filly was given the Classic back.
After that run, Bondi Beach travelled to Australia, but failed to cut much ice in the Melbourne Cup, finishing 16th. He looks set to play a major part in all the staying race this season, though, after winning comfortably on his comeback at Limerick, with a return Down Under already in the trainer's thoughts.
O'Brien, who has won the Vintage Crop with the likes of Yeats, Fame And Glory and Leading Light, told At The Races: "The Yorkshire Cup was an option, but he goes to the Vintage Crop Stakes at Navan on Sunday instead.
"He ran in the Melbourne Cup last year and that is a race we'll have in our minds for this year, too."
Dermot Weld runs Zannda, a four-year-old filly who was progressive at the end of last season. She was, however, a beaten favourite on her return at Leopardstown in the Noblesse Stakes.
Weld will also be familiar with Silwana, sold out of his yard for 320,000 euro to the Kawakami Racing Syndicate from Japan to be trained by Kildare-based Takashi Kodama.
"She's in good form," said Kodama.
"The ground was too tacky for her the last day and I didn't know much about her then. She'll be a bit better this time and I'm expecting a good run.
"As she's owned by people who like to breed, my aim is to pick up as much black type as possible."
The small field is completed by John Kiely's useful Toe The Line, third behind Bondi Beach last time out.
