Morrison sends Shirocco Star to Curragh Lambourn trainer Hughie Morrison has never been one to shirk a challenge and Shirocco Star is all set to travel to Ireland for Sunday's Darley Irish Oaks at the Curragh. Placed in the Oaks and the Ribblesdale, she is without a win this season but already looks a valuable broodmare for her owners, Helena Springfield Ltd, who have already enjoyed one big day in Ireland this season with Izzi Top in the Pretty Polly. "We've left her in the Irish Oaks and at the moment we're heading over," said Morrison. "She also has an entry at Newmarket, but that's just in case the weather deteriorates any further. "She goes on all ground, though, so soft ground is unlikely to put us off. "I hope she runs well as she's thriving on her racing at the moment, there's certainly no sign that it is catching up with her at home, despite having three hard races in a relatively short spell of time. You certainly couldn't question her enthusiasm. "We're keen to go as this is the last chance she'll get to take on three-year-olds and she warrants going. She might be third or fourth in the betting and we've plenty of ground to make up on Dermot Weld's filly (Princess Highway) but the owners are keen to go and racing is about competition. "If people like us didn't have a go you end up with races like the Irish Derby and nobody really wants to see that again."
