O'Brien holds Group One hopes for Shale Donnacha O’Brien rounded off Derby weekend in style with a success through Zoffany colt Emporio in the finale at the Curragh on Sunday, and it had been a decent few days all told for the County Tipperary operator. In the Group One Alwasmiyah Pretty Polly Stakes O’Brien’s Shale finished sixth, but she would very likely have fared better with a clearer run. “She ran well and I thought she was unlucky not to be third,” said O’Brien. “There is a chance she could go to Belmont next week for the Oaks and if not we'll probably leave her for the Nassau. “I'm maybe being stubborn but I still think there is a Group 1 in her this year. I think we haven't seen the best of her yet.” Meanwhile on Saturday the young trainer’s Masseto finished third in the Group Two GAIN Railway Stakes, and that Territories colt is now set for pastures new. “He ran a cracker and he's going over to his new owners in America at the weekend. He's a good horse,” revealed the three time Group One winning handler. “He wasn't supposed to run in the Railway but I asked the owners if I could run him and they were very gracious to let me. I wish them the best of luck with him.”
