Mooneista 'better than last year' as she bids for Sapphire follow-up

Saturday: 3.10 Curragh
Barberstown Castle Sapphire Stakes (Group 2) | 5f | 3yo+ | RTE1/RTV

Mooneista will bid to restore some pride to Ireland's sprinting division after the country's three runners in last Saturday's July Cup all finished at the rear of the field.

Victory in this Group 2 last year was a career highlight for the Jack Davison-trained filly, but she has arguably been running even better this year despite failing to get off the mark.

A cracking second to Brad The Brief in the Greenlands Stakes here over 6f on Irish Guineas weekend was followed by an admirable fourth to Nature Strip in the King's Stand at Royal Ascot.

Equilateral: recorded back-to-back wins at Meydan earlier this yearCredit: Francois Nel (Getty Images)

Just a neck separated her and the Charlie Hills-trained Equilateral on that occasion, and Saturday's rematch looks sure to be another close encounter.

Mooneista is particularly effective at the Curragh, while Equilateral brings a wealth of international experience to the table. He had no luck in running when trying to throw down a challenge at Sandown a fortnight ago.

Castle Star, one of Ireland's top juveniles last term, adds further intrigue to this €120,000 contest.

Last seen finishing second to Commonwealth Cup winner Perfect Power in the Group 1 Middle Park Stakes, he remains an exciting prospect but could need the run after a 294-day break.

The Joseph O'Brien-trained Brostaigh has been one of the most improved horses of the season. Wins in a Listed contest at Naas and a Group 2 at Chantilly have seen the speedy filly progress to a mark of 105, having started the year on 79.

Castle Star (no.3): finished second to Perfect Power in last year's Juddmonte Middle Park StakesCredit: Mark Cranham

There was no catching Last Crusader when he bolted up from the front in Listed company at York two starts ago, but he is now on a retrieval mission for Karl Burke after disappointing in the Temple Stakes.

Hills: we haven't got much to find with Mooneista

Charlie Hills has successfully pulled off big-race raids at the Curragh in recent years with Just The Judge and Phoenix Of Spain, and hopes are high Equilateral can follow the same trend.

The seven-year-old was luckless in the Group 3 Coral Charge at Sandown last time and Hills believes he has improved since a clash with Mooneista at Royal Ascot.

"He was unlucky last time at Sandown and is fresh and well," said Hills. "This looks a nice opportunity and his draw is all right."

Hills added: "It was a great run at Royal Ascot. He's not got much to find with Mooneista, who was just in front of us, and we've come on since then anyway. The track should suit too."

What they say

Jack Davison, trainer of Mooneista
We were delighted with how she ran at Ascot. She didn't leave anything out there and it's nice to know she belongs in that sort of company. I have absolutely no doubt that she's a better filly now than last year. She's bigger and stronger, and has really got the hang of the game.

Aidan O'Brien on New York City: 'He's just ready to start back now and will improve plenty for the run'Credit: Patrick McCann

Aidan O'Brien, trainer of Cadamosto and New York City
Cadamosto just reared in the stalls in the July Cup and things didn't go to plan for him at all. New York City is just back after a break. We were training him for Ascot, but he had a bit of a setback and we had to back off him. He's just ready to start back now and will improve plenty for the run.

Fozzy Stack, trainer of Castle Star
It's his first start of the year so he'll come on for the run. His form from last season has been working out well. We had been training him for the Commonwealth Cup but unfortunately he had a bit of a hiccup in the lead-up to that, so this is Plan B.

Karl Burke, trainer of Last Crusader
He's in great form and he’s been aimed at this for a little while. He's fresh and well after a nice break and the blinkers will help him. It's not that he isn't genuine, but he didn't concentrate last time. He travelled over well and fingers crossed he’ll run a big one.

Joseph O'Brien, trainer of Brostaigh
She's been very progressive this year and we're hoping she can take another step forward.

Read more of Saturday's previews:

1.50 Newbury: Cadillac could be in the driving seat now De Foy has got to work on him

2.35 Curragh: 'She has a perfect draw and is in serious order' - who likes their Scurry hope?

2.56 Newbury: Happy again? Romance out to win consecutive runnings of Group 3 Hackwood Stakes

3.14 Market Rasen: 'I can't separate them' - Bowen saddles two as he eyes an eighth Summer Plate

3.30 Newbury: 'She's an exciting prospect' - Super Sprint trainer quotes and analysis

3.45 Curragh: Jessica Harrington and Aidan O'Brien on their Irish Oaks contenders

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