Irish Raider Staycation In Hat For Brian Yeardley Two-Year-Old Trophy

Melbourne Cup-winning trainer Joseph O’Brien could have a first runner at Beverley on Saturday (June 9) as Staycation is in the frame for the Trucking by Brian Yeardley Two-Year-Old Trophy.

The son of Acclamation is well regarded by connections, though fortune has not been on his side in three starts to date.

But a big run from Staycation in the £35,000 conditions stakes over five furlongs could convince Co Kilkenny-based O’Brien and owners Nick Bradley Racing to spin the wheel at Royal Ascot.

Nick Bradley said: “He has plenty of ability, but he’s a bit of a character.

“On his last start at Catterick he barged past two of them, and then he just stopped. He just put the brakes on. It wasn’t like he was out of energy or anything like that.

“Whether it was immaturity or quirkiness, I don’t know, but I’m hoping it’s the former.

“He’s got multiple entries, but the Brian Yeardley is always a good race and there’s a fair chance he’ll go, as there’s not a lot in Ireland for him for a while.

“Joseph likes him a lot and if he runs and wins at the weekend, we might think about Royal Ascot.”

The five-furlong Brian Yeardley Two-Year-Old Trophy received 17 entries and was won last season by Cardsharp, who subsequently finished third in the Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Cardsharp’s trainer Mark Johnston could this year saddle impressive Doncaster maiden winner Victory Command.

Well Done Fox (Richard Hannon), Yousini (Kevin Ryan), Wasntexpectingthat (Richard Fahey), Big Ace (Tim Easterby) and Life Of Riley (Karl Burke) were all last-time-out winners and could also line up.

As might the Mick Channon-trained Jungle Inthebungle, whose sire, Bungle Inthejungle, won the Brian Yeardley Two-Year-Old Trophy in 2012.

Nick Bradley Racing could also be represented by unraced filly Little Kim in the prestigious Hilary Needler Trophy on the same Beverley card.

Bradley said: “She cost 45,000 guineas and is a half-sister to Out Of The Flames, who ran in the Breeders’ Cup.

“Karl Burke likes her a lot and says that she goes nicely at home, so we’re pretty confident she’ll turn into a nice filly.

“She’s been suffering from sore shins, which is why she’s not had a run yet, but she’s getting there now.”