McCreery hoping prayers for rain will be answered Curragh trainer Willie McCreery has done a fine job with multiple Group winner Epona Plays and is looking forward to running her on the first day of Irish Champions Weekend at Leopardstown. The daughter of Australia made a fine start to the campaign when landing the Group 3 Park Express Stakes at Naas in March and followed up in Group 2 company at the Curragh on Guineas weekend. She finished fifth in a strong renewal of the Pretty Polly Stakes back at headquarters on Irish Derby weekend and has been freshened up ahead of a tilt at Saturday week’s Coolmore America ‘Justify’ Matron Stakes. Her two victories this year came on soft to heavy ground and, although her initial stakes win at Gowran Park last term came on a sound surface, it’s little surprise that McCreery would like a cut in the ground for Italian owner Renzo Forni’s 4-year-old. He told journalist Dave Keena: “She looks great at the minute and I thought her work the other day was the best bit of work she’s done. “She seems in great form so hopefully everything will come right on the day. “I’ll definitely run her because they’re sure to have beautiful ground at Leopardstown. A couple of years ago they had firm ground and I don’t think they’ll let that happen again. “I think there are showers forecast from Sunday onwards. I’d love if our Lord could water it because he’s simply the best man at watering these tracks, and hopefully he does a good job next week!”
