O´Brien Relies On Holy Roman Emperor Holy Roman Emperor Bids To Extend O'Brien Winning Sequence At Curragh On Sunday Aidan O'Brien has won seven of the last eight runnings of the ?300,000 Waterford Wedgwood Phoenix Stakes (Group One) and he relies on Holy Roman Emperor in Sunday's big race at the Curragh. Successful in the Railway Stakes on Derby Day in early July, he is again opposed by the runner up on that occasion, Drayton, from the Tommy Stack stable. There was only three quarters of a length between them that day and the re-match promises to be very interesting. Holy Roman Emperor is likely to start favourite but he has to reverse earlier form with solitary English raider, Hellvelyn, who beat him convincingly in the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot in mid-June. Hellvelyn is unbeaten on his only three outings to date and Bryan Smart's classy juvenile will be trying to become the first English trained winner of this race since Princely Heir triumphed in 1997. A strong home defence is backed up by the Kevin Prendergast trained Brazilian Bride, unbeaten on her only two outings to date and successful in the Swordlestown Stud Sprint Stakes at Naas in early June, while stable companion Miss Beatrix is also among the seven runner field. Recent Tipperary winner, Rabatash, trained by David Wachman and the Con Collins trained King Of Swords, complete the line up. Waterford Wedgwood Phoenix Stakes (7 Declarations)Drayton, Hellvelyn, Holy Roman Emperor, King Of Swords, Rabatash, Brazilian Bride, Miss Beatrix On the same card, the Phoenix Sprint Stakes has attracted an extremely strong overseas challenge with seven of the eight runners hailing from British stables. Indeed, the only Irish trained runner is the Michael Halford trained Miss Sally and she faces a stiff task against the likes of Moss Vale, Fayr Jag, Red Clubs and recent Leopardstown winner, Indian Maiden. The Kevin Prendergast trained Mustameet has been in terrific form this season winning four of his five races and he will be out to follow up his victory in the International Stakes at the Curragh last month in the Royal Whip Stakes over ten furlongs. A select field of four face the starter here and it promises to be a fascinating affair with Mustameet being opposed by Chelsea Rose, recent Meld Stakes winner, Heliostatic, and Aidan O'Brien's promising maiden winner, Soar With Eagles. The first of eight races on Sunday is off at 2.15 pm and there is a Jackpot Pool guarantee for ?20,000.
