Hermosa Odds Slash With Coronation Stakes Date Set

Hermosa Odds Slash With Coronation Stakes Date Set

Hermosa's odds for the Coronation Stakes were slashed on Wednesday afternoon, after it was confirmed she would skip the French Oaks in favour of accepting an invitation to the royal meeting at Ascot this month.

Trainer Aidan O'Brien confirmed the news that she will not step up in trip to contest the Prix de Diane at Chantilly next Sunday, but instead wait a week to search for a third Group One over a mile after back-to-back Guineas successes.

The daughter of Galileo will attempt to follow in the hoof-prints of Attraction and previous stable-star Winter; the two fillies who won the Coronation Stakes on the back of dual-Guineas triumphs in England and Ireland.

Hermosa was cut to 6/4 from 3/1 by Sky Bet after the confirmation of her upcoming assignment, and O'Brien believes she is in top shape ahead of the flat's seasonal highlight in a fortnight's time.

(Credit: Racing Post) He said: "She came out of the Irish Guineas well and after we discussed plans we decided to aim for the Coronation rather than the Prix de Diane.

The Ballydoyle master also exclusively revealed that QIPCO 2,000 Guineas winner Magna Grecia, was found to have suffered a pulled hamstring when fifth in the Irish equivalent at the Curragh.

The St James's Palace Stakes and a rematch against Too Darn Hot and Phoenix Of Spain remains his number one priority.

O'Brien continued: "The hamstring issue only came to light when Magna Grecia went back cantering.

"We're hoping to run him in the St James's Palace but it will depend on whether he continues responding to treatment.

"We'll review things towards the end of next week."

Magical made it three from three for the season by landing the Group One Tattersalls Gold Cup last month, and remains on course for the Prince of Wales's Stakes.

"Nothing is set in stone just yet but that's the race we're looking at as Magical's next target," O'Brien said.

Of his other flag-bearers, Japan - third in the Investec Derby last week, along with Circus Maximus (sixth), could both go for the King Edward VII Stakes.

All of Kew Gardens, Southern France, Flag Of Honour and Capri's futures are yet to be formally decided, all named with entries in the Gold Cup and the Hardwicke Stakes.

O'Brien has Le Brivido in the Queen Anne, Ten Sovereigns heading the market for the Commonwealth Cup now that Calyx has dropped out, and sprinter Sergei Prokofiev in the King's Stand.

Arizona currently looks the best of his two-year-old clan - an eight-length winner at the Curragh on Irish Guineas weekend, and is being aimed at the Coventry Stakes.