Minnie Hauk and Whirl rematch unlikely to happen this weekend Aidan O’Brien’s powerful Ballydoyle stable is narrowing down its options ahead of a high-stakes weekend at the Curragh and beyond. Minnie Hauk Favoured for Irish Oaks as Ballydoyle Plans Evolve Aidan O’Brien said it is unlikely that both Minnie Hauk and Whirl will run in Saturday’s Juddmonte Irish Oaks at the Curragh. The two were among six O’Brien-trained fillies left in the Classic on Tuesday, with only three other stables possibly being represented. Minnie Hauk, who got the better of a thrilling tussle with Whirl to win the Oaks at Epsom, is odds-on favourite with the bookmakers to double up this weekend. The Frankel filly, who had won a trial at Chester prior to gaining Classic success, has been waiting for this, while Whirl has already franked the form by beating the year-older Kalpana in the Pretty Polly Stakes. Bedtime Story, Butterfly Wings, Island Hopping and Merrily complete the Ballydoyle entry. “They probably won’t both run, I’d imagine,” said O’Brien. “Minnie Hauk has been fine since Epsom, she had a little break and everything has been good since.” Fozzy Stack’s Bay Colony, Johnny Murtagh’s Subsonic and Joseph O’Brien’s Wemightakedlongway are the other confirmations. Ballydoyle Also Well-Represented in GAIN Railway Stakes and Scurry Handicap O’Brien also has four of the eight in the GAIN Railway Stakes, including Queen Mary winner True Love. She would be taking on the colts should she run this weekend. “It’s very possible that she could go to the Railway,” said O’Brien. First Approach, Flushing Meadows and Puerto Rico are his others, while Joseph O’Brien could run Green Sense. Adrian Murray’s Power Blue and the Ger Lyons-trained Learntodoscover are also possibles. George Baker’s Desert Cop, Mick and David Easterby’s in-form Canon’s House and Mick Appleby’s Kodi Lion are among 19 left in the Kwiff Supercharged Betting Scurry Handicap, for which Big Gossey tops the weights.
