Crossfirehurricane to be aimed at Tattersalls Gold Cup after Gallinule upset

The Gallinule Stakes is often thought of a as trial for three-year-olds heading up in distance but Crossfirehurricane looks unlikely to head out in trip after swooping for an impressive victory in the 1m2f Group 2.

Representing American-based owner-breeder Scott Heider, the Kitten’s Joy colt came with a sustained challenge to eventually swoop by Gold Maze, having been ridden patiently by Shane Crosse in the rear of the six-runner field.

Gallinule Stakes replay and result

Returned at odds of 7-1, he was stretching his unbeaten record to four under 18-year-old Crosse, who along with Joseph O’Brien was completing a double on the card. The market leader Mythical finished a well-beaten fifth.

Crossfirehurricane had won on his July debut at Limerick but did not return until February, at which point he won over seven furlongs and a mile at Dundalk. O’Brien clearly likes the horse and suggested he would now head up in class, with the Tattersalls Gold Cup, this year confined to the Classic generation, a possible target in late July.

Like O’Brien’s earlier winner on the card, Galileo Chrome, he holds a Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby entry and he was given a 10-1 quote for that race by Betfair, but it doesn’t look like that’s on the agenda.

“He's an improving colt,” O’Brien said. “I was a little bit worried about his inexperience and the trip coming here but Shane gave him a lovely ride. He's a decent horse, I’d say, and has done nothing wrong.

“He had a setback after he won his maiden last year and as a result he missed most of last season, so we brought him back to get some experience on the all-weather. Because we were worried about the trip I had him left in the Guineas, but it looks like this is his trip.

“I’m not sure we’d be going a mile and a half with him, so we’d be looking for another race at this trip, somewhere where the ground is nice and quick. The Tattersalls Gold Cup would be an option, as it is over the same course and distance and the ground should be quick, but he could have another run between now and then.

“He's done nothing wrong and it is definitely an option for him. He could have another run between now and then.”

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