New York Girl © Photo Healy Racing
Joseph O'Brien is hoping the decision to supplement New York Girl for Saturday's Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby can reap rich rewards.
The daughter of New Approach was added to the Classic field after a fine run to finish fourth to Peaceful in the Irish 1,000 Guineas at the Curragh.
She will bid to become the first filly since Balanchine in 1994 to land the mile-and-a-half prize.
O'Brien feels, with the open looking nature of the field this season, it is a gamble worth taking. New York Girl is generally a 10/1 shot for the race.
“She was fourth in the Guineas and it looks an extremely strong crop of fillies this season, arguably every bit as strong if not stronger than the colts,” said O'Brien.
“She had been earmarked for the Oaks but we thought this year maybe the Derby wasn't the strongest race in the world, and she was likely to meet Magical in the Pretty Polly.
“If she can step up on her run in the Guineas going the mile-and-a-half, which is an unknown, it would give her a chance of being placed.
“Obviously this year it is different to any other because a lot of horses are still very unexposed.
“Because we missed a good chunk of the season horses haven't got as many trials in.
“Usually at this time of year we'd have a fair idea of what the best horses around are but this year there are still a number of maidens in the field, albeit very good maidens.
“There are also horses with group form, and group placed form, and everyone is in around a similar rating.
“It's going to be a fantastic race, very competitive with unexposed horses, so we are waiting to find out which one is the next superstar.
“Time will tell and I'm looking forward to finding out. I'm hoping it might be one of mine.”
