Joseph O'Brien hoping New York Girl can shake up colts in Irish Derby

New York Girl could form part of a three-pronged Joseph O'Brien assault on Saturday's Irish Derby when she vies for a historic victory after being supplemented at a cost of €50,000.

The Group 3-winning daughter of New Approach, who earned her belated entry with a fourth-place finish in the Tattersalls Irish 1,000 Guineas, has been introduced between 10-1 and 14-1 for the Dubai Duty Free-backed prize, while unbeaten stablemate Crossfirehurricane is a general 5-1 chance against ten Aidan O'Brien-trained entrants.

Fillies won eight of the first 35 runnings of the prestigious highlight but have rarely been sighted in recent times. Salsabil's 1990 success was the first for a filly in 90 years and only three have lined up since Balanchine's memorable success in 1994, with Investec Oaks heroine Qualify coming closest when sixth in 2015.

However, O'Brien is well aware of what it takes to win the Irish Derby, which is worth 50 per cent of its usual prize fund this year at €750,000. The 27-year-old won the race twice as a rider with Camelot (2012) and Australia (2014) before enjoying victory as a trainer with Latrobe two years ago.

He said: "New York Girl ran a great race in the Irish 1,000 Guineas and it looks an open Irish Derby, so if she gets the mile and a half she has a good chance of being placed hopefully.

"Rain wouldn't be a disadvantage to her. She has form on good ground and soft ground, so she seems quite versatile when it comes to the going."

New York Girl (Shane Crosse) flies late to pinch the Group 3 Weld Park Stakes last autumnCredit: Patrick McCann

O'Brien was not certain that exciting youngster Crossfirehurricane would take up his Derby engagement in the immediate aftermath of winning the Group 3 Coolmore Gallinule Stakes, with the step up to a mile and a half an unknown, but he confirmed on Wednesday that the Scott Heider-owned colt will enter Group 1 company this weekend.

"He's on track for Saturday and is in good shape," said O'Brien, who added that talented 18-year-old Shane Crosse is set to maintain his partnership with the classy performer on Saturday.

"A little bit of a worry would be if the ground was soft, but we'll be going there with a good chance."

Asked about his colt's stamina credentials for the longest trip he has encountered, O'Brien said: "We're hopeful [he'll stay]. He's by Kitten's Joy and has a good attitude, a good will to win. We'll find out at the weekend."

Joseph O'Brien on Crossfirehurricane: 'A little bit of a worry would be if the ground was soft, but we'll be going there with a good chance'Credit: Patrick McCann

The Carriganog team's Derby squad could be completed by Galileo Chrome, who marked himself out as a smart prospect when winning a 1m2f maiden at the Curragh on Guineas weekend.

Much like former 2,000 Guineas hero Galileo Gold, whose sire is Paco Boy, he is not by Galileo as his name suggests and is actually by Australia.

"He's a possible runner, there hasn't been a final decision made on him yet," said the trainer, who saddled nine winners across the last fortnight.

"He's a good, hardy colt who won his maiden at the track and this is obviously a big step up but he'll enjoy the trip."

Heavy rain forecast for Thursday night

Aidan O'Brien suggested on Tuesday that he is expecting the ground at the Curragh to be on the easy side this weekend and heavy rain is forecast for Thursday night, leading into Friday.

Galileo Chrome (centre) looked open to any amount of improvement when winning a 1m2f maiden at the Curragh earlier this monthCredit: Patrick McCann

Speaking via the IHRB's Twitter feed on Wednesday morning, clerk of the course Brendan Sheridan said: "The ground on the straight course is good, good to yielding in places and the round course is good following 5mm of rain in the previous 24 hours.

"Having spoken with Met Eireann, the forecast is for Wednesday and Thursday to be dry. Thursday night is to have heavy rain going into Friday, unsettled thereafter."

He added: "We're racing on the stands' side track and the stalls will be in the centre for all sprints."

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