Born To Sea to sport a hood in the Abu Dhabi Irish 2,000 Guineas at Curragh
In an attempt to keep, Born To Sea, calm in the Abu Dhabi Irish 2,000 Guineas, the runner will enter this race wearing a hood.
The 1 mile race is scheduled to take place at Curragh on 26th May, 2012, where he will be paired with rider, Pat Smullen.
The son of Invincible Spirit, out of mare Urban Sea, finished twelfth in the Group 1 Qipco 2,000 Guineas Stakes at Newmarket on 5th May, 2012, but he had the potential to do better since he has previously achieved a victory
and finish as a runner-up once.
Trainer John M. Oxx feels that the runner blew his chances in the Qipco 2,000, as he pulled hard despite jockey J. Murtagh’s efforts to keep him calm. To counter this, the trainer has used a hood on the runner in his work-outs as well.
Regarding this, he stated to the press that:
"Born To Sea has been working in a hood and it seems to keep him calm so we're going to run him in it. It's a step up from ear plugs and just covers the whole ear."
He further added: "He'd blown his chance after two furlongs at Newmarket so we want to see him relax.”
The hood is used by many trainers to keep their runners focused, the trainer commented on the purpose of the hood and said:
“It's more to stop the wind whistling. When horses gallop you notice they put their ears flat against their head to try to avoid it."
The runner has more talent and skill than he demonstrated at Newmarket in the beginning of May. The bay colt notched a magnificent victory in the The Irish Field Blenheim Stakes on 10th September, 2011, where he raced as a favourite
with a 5-2 chance.
With his speed and stamina, he defeated the G.M. Lyons trained Pearl In The Sand by 1 ½ lengths. With a previous victory at Curragh, things will definitely work in favour of the three-year-old.
Rider Johnny Murtagh, who has been racing aboard Born To Sea since his career began will be taking control of Takar, who is also the charge of John M. Oxx.
Takar’s owner, His Highness Aga Khan, has retained Murtagh and requested his services for this race.
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