Oaks Trial In Mind For Daughter Of Australia

Port Fairy (3f Australia – Fabulae, by Fastnet Rock) will step up in class after leading home a 1-2-3 for Coolmore sires in the three-year-old fillies’ maiden at Dundalk on Saturday.

The Aidan O’Brien-trained chesnut stepped up to ten and a half furlongs on her three-year-old return and led from the early stages under Ryan Moore. Pushed clear with three furlongs to race, she kept on well to deny Lady Doris (Churchill) by a neck, while the favourite Evening Blossom (Australia) finished third.

Representing winning connections, Chris Armstrong later said, “She had one run last year and has come on mentally and physically. We'll try and get black-type next and hopefully it's onwards and upwards.”

Armstrong added that Port Fairy is likely to contest an Oaks Trial next and holds an entry in the Irish Oaks, as does the third horse. Owned by Coolmore partners with Westerberg, Port Fairy was bred by Whisperview Trading out of a half-sister to Group 3 performer and Dee Stakes second Alder (Australia).