Superb Homeless Songs Royal Ascot-bound after Irish 1,000 Guineas demolition job

Connections of spectacular Irish 1,000 Guineas star Homeless Songs believe the brilliant Curragh heroine has the necessary speed to be effective over six furlongs, but a date in the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot will be next on her agenda, provided conditions are not too quick.

Victory in the royal meeting's premier three-year-old fillies' event could continue a marvellous run for owner-breeders Moyglare Stud Farm, who also have leading Gold Cup contender Kyprios and, more immediately, Cheshire Oaks scorer Thoughts Of June in the Cazoo Oaks.

It is shaping up to be a scintillating Coronation Stakes showdown after Sunday's demolition job under Chris Hayes saw the Dermot Weld-trained Homeless Songs leapfrog Inspiral as 6-4 favourite with bet365 for the Group 1 prize.

Cheveley Park's unbeaten top-level scorer is now an 11-4 chance ahead of 1,000 Guineas winner Cachet at 7-1.

Moyglare's bloodstock adviser Fiona Craig told the Racing Post: "She's got so much speed. She'd probably win a good race over six furlongs.

Watch again: Homeless Songs destroys Irish 1,000 Guineas field

"The main question coming into Sunday was whether she'd carry herself over a mile. Dermot and I weren't completely certain but Chris had no doubts. She powered home."

Craig added: "I don't think we'll make any decision about Royal Ascot yet. We want to run her this year, next year – who knows? I don't think we'll be jumping into doing anything on fast ground.

"We tried her mother [Joailliere] on it in the Irish 1,000 Guineas and she didn't run again for ten and a half months. She just got jarred up.

"We think this filly is very adaptable but I think she'd always like to get her toe in slightly, without wanting heavy ground. Somewhere in the middle is probably perfect."

It's poignant that the historic operation are revelling in a purple patch at this time, with 2022 marking the 60th anniversary of the stud's foundation, and ten years since Eva Maria Bucher-Haefner took over the running of Moyglare from her late father Walter.

Homeless Songs: blitzed her rivals in the Irish 1,000 GuineasCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Craig suggested that an impressive piece of work from Homeless Songs in the build-up to last weekend's Classic convinced Moyglare's owner to make the journey from Switzerland to the Curragh.

"It was brilliant that Eva could come," said Craig. "Homeless Songs worked up Walsh's Hill last Wednesday and went as you would have expected from the race on Sunday.

"Eva looked like being a bit tied up in Switzerland, but I just came back to Moyglare and said 'I'm not telling you she's going to win, but now is the time to come racing if you can'.

Craig added: "Chris gave her a wonderful ride, and all of the team have been brilliant in getting her to this point. Dermot spent the past year training this filly's mind, and that's part of why she's so good now."

Forgotten Rules came within a length and a half of landing the Gold Cup in 2015, finishing a cracking third behind Trip To Paris, and the famous black, white and red silks could gain compensation in the same race this summer with the improving Aidan O'Brien-trained stayer Kyprios.

Kyprios: won the Saval Beg Levmoss Stakes by 14 lengths at Leopardstown this monthCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Partly owned by Coolmore kingpins Sue Magnier and Michael Tabor, the impressive Vintage Crop and Saval Beg Stakes scorer is the 11-4 joint-favourite with BoyleSports alongside Trueshan for next month's staying feature. The mighty Stradivarius is also in the mix to regain his crown.

Kyprios is the last known foal of incredible broodmare Polished Gem, who produced high-class performers such as Free Eagle, Custom Cut, Search For A Song, Sapphire, Falcon Eight, Amma Grace and Valac.

Craig said: "He's has been very good and I think Aidan is aiming him at the Gold Cup. He comes from an incredible family but no stallion or person can take any credit for anything out of Polished Gem – she was just an amazing mare."

Curragh chief executive Brian Kavanagh was satisfied by attendance figures of 5,200 for Saturday's Classic action and 4,800 for Sunday, as the track welcomed back its first unrestricted crowd for a marquee meeting since 2019.

Kavanagh said: "Including Friday's meeting, we had about 12,500 over the weekend. It was a great few days in terms of getting the facilities back used again and receiving positive feedback. This was the first time some racegoers were seeing the facilities."

Coronation Stakes (4.20 Ascot, June 17)

Sky Bet: 15-8 Homeless Songs, 9-4 Inspiral, 5 Cachet, 7 Prosperous Voyage, 9 Mangoustine, 10 Discoveries, Grande Dame, Spendarella, 12 bar

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Homeless Songs destroys the field and storms to Irish 1,000 Guineas triumph

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