Weld aims for more Trials success at Leopardstown

Promising Cork winner Imaging will head Dermot Weld’s team for Ballylinch Classic Trials Day at Leopardstown on Saturday.

The Rosewell House trainer has enjoyed numerous successes on this card in the past and his seven victories in the Ballylinch Stud 2000 Guineas Trial Stakes make him the most successful trainer in the race’s history.

This year Weld will send Imaging into battle for the colt’s trial after the son of Oasis Dream followed up wide margin maiden at Limerick last October with a smooth return at Cork on Easter Saturday.

“We are looking forward to returning to Leopardstown this weekend and Imaging takes his chance in the 2,000 Guineas Trial,” said Weld. “He is very versatile ground wise and I have been happy with the horse since Cork.”

Yulong Gold Fairy represents Weld in the Group 3 Ballylinch Stud Priory Belle 1000 Guineas Trial Stakes where the daughter of Mount Nelson will be looking to build on a promising two-year-old campaign.

The €8,000 yearling amassed earnings of close to €90,000 from her four starts last year which were rounded off by her victory in the valuable Foran Equine Auction Race Series Final at Naas last October.

Weld added; “Yulong Gold Fairy is coming back nicely, she’s a nice filly and I expect her to run a good race. However, although we have had a few nice winners already this season, Yulong Gold Fairy would be like most of mine and will be better with some sunshine on her back but she’s well, she’s coming forward and I expect her to run a nice race.”

Burgundy Boy will then make his debut for Weld in the Group 3 P.W. McGrath Memorial Ballysax Stakes which went to the trainer’s subsequent dual Derby hero Harzand in 2016.

Burgundy Boy finished fourth in both the Group 3 Tyros and Group 3 Eyrefield Stakes on his last two starts in 2017 and he is expected to come on for this reappearance.

“This is a nice horse, a good actioned horse, and he would be the most backward of the three runners in the trial races. I would expect him to come forward a good bit from the run. He will be a top of the ground horse,” concluded the master of Rosewell House.