Can the classy Order Of Australia make it back-to-back Minstrel Stakes wins?

Sunday: 2.10 Curragh
Romanised Minstrel Stakes (Group 2) | 7f | 3yo+ | RTV

Order Of Australia outclassed his six rivals from the front in this Group 2 last year having finished eighth in the Queen Anne along the way. He returns to defend his crown on the back of a better effort in the Royal Ascot opener, when third to Baaeed, so why should we oppose him now?

Well, the big worry is the trip. Don't forget he was fourth in the Irish Derby in 2020 and has won a conditions event over 1m4f as well. He hits the line hard over a mile and there is the nagging doubt that 7f is the bare minimum for him. Could there be a few in here with more gears than the 2020 Breeders' Cup Mile winner?

The one thing that can be guaranteed is that Ryan Moore will not want this to develop into a sprint so expect him to set quite generous fractions in front. When Order Of Australia won this last year Moore increased the tempo at halfway and nothing ever looked like getting by. He will probably try to do likewise here.

The experienced Njord was second last year, while Power Under Me was third and there is a suspicion the 2022 running is better than the 2021 event was.

For starters, the smart mare Pearls Galore is in opposition. She has won both her starts this season and seems to be getting better with age. She gets 3lb from Order Of Australia. She has nothing to prove with regard to the trip given that three of her six wins have come over 7f and another over 7½f.

Another real 7f specialist looks to be Dr Zempf. Having won the Ballylinch Stud-sponsored 2,000 Guineas Trial at Leopardstown in April, he tried a mile in the Tetrarch Stakes but didn't get home having been ridden to get the trip.

He looked in his comfort zone every inch of the way last time back over 7f in the Ballycorus Stakes at Leopardstown where Colin Keane was more positive and he always appeared to have matters under control all the way up the straight.

That performance earned the gorgeous son of Dark Angel a Racing Post Rating of 116 and a reproduction of that effort would see him go very close here.

The others all have too much to prove. Real Appeal, in particular, has been very disappointing on his last few starts. It is hard to put your full faith in him.

It does look to be a three-horse race between Order Of Australia, Pearls Galore and Dr Zempf and it is the Ger Lyons-trained colt who appeals most out of that trio. He is fancied to become the first three-year-old winner since Spirit Of Valor in 2017 and prove himself to be the ultimate 7f specialist.

What they say

Aidan O'Brien, trainer of Order Of Australia
We're very happy with him and everything has gone well since Ascot. That was his first run of the year so hopefully he will progress from it. He won this race last year too. Everything is good with him.

Joseph O'Brien, trainer of Snapraeterea
He missed a bit of time in the spring so it will be good to get him back on the track. Hopefully the ground will be safe for him.

Paddy Twomey, trainer of Pearls Galore
We decided to stay home and head back to the Curragh. It looks a very competitive race against some talented horses, taking on the boys, but hopefully she'll run a big race. All being well, we'll look to head back to fillies-only company next time.

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