Irish Oaks bid on the cards for surprise Coronation winner Cercene

Cercene could be supplemented for next month’s Juddmonte Irish Oaks following her surprise Coronation Stakes success at Royal Ascot.

Third behind Lake Victoria in the Irish 1,000 Guineas, the daughter of Australia took her game to another level on the penultimate day of the Royal meeting, finishing powerfully under Gary Carroll to get the better of French Guineas heroine Zarigana as a 33-1 shot.

While the result was a shock to many, trainer Joe Murphy expected a bold showing.

He said: “If you go back and look at the Irish Guineas, she was the only filly that passed three horses over the last furlong. If they went another furlong, I’m not saying we’d beat the Ballydoyle filly (Lake Victoria), but we could have been second and there’s no harm being second best to her.

“I’m delighted with the way she came home, she licked the pot and we’re thrilled with her.”

With Cercene yet to race beyond a mile, Murphy admits to having doubts about whether her stamina will stand up to the mile and a half of the Irish Oaks, but feels it could be worth rolling the dice.

“We have our Group One in the bag now and she’s finished third in a Group One and second in the Athasi Stakes from seven runs, so we’re in a very happy place,” he added.

“We’re thinking of supplementing her for the Irish Oaks. We’ll probably make an entry for the Nassau in Goodwood as well, but we have to figure out the timing.

“The Pretty Polly this weekend comes too soon after Ascot. You could go over a mile and a quarter in the Nassau, but you’re taking on older fillies, whereas in the Oaks you’re only taking on your own age group.

“She has her Group One, so if she doesn’t stay I’ll take the blame and we’ll go back (in trip) and start the engine again.”

The Fethard-based trainer also has big plans for the second half of the season, with a trip to California in early November very much on the agenda.

Murphy said: “We have have the Matron Stakes (at Leopardstown) and then probably the Breeders’ Cup, so that’s the programme going along. We’re looking forward to the Breeders’ Cup as we think she’ll handle it – she’s very well balanced and tough and honest.

“The dream is more alive than it was before Ascot.”