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Zarinsk & American Sonja renew rivalry in Fairyhouse feature

Zarinsk (Colin Keane) winning at LeopardstownZarinsk (Colin Keane) winning at Leopardstown
© Photo Healy Racing

There is a full day of action on the domestic front with an afternoon meeting at Dundalk plus an evening fixture at Fairyhouse where the Group 3 Darley Irish EBF Browstown Stakes is the feature.

The Brownstown is famously a rare omission on Aidan O’Brien’s domination of Irish Group races and the Ballydoyle trainer saddles four of the nine runners.

However, the Ger Lyons-trained Zarinsk and Joseph O’Brien’s American Sonja may fight it out as they renew rivalry after meeting at Leopardstown back in May.

Zarinsk had American Sonja (now 3lb better off) over two lengths back in fourth when making all in the Group 3 Cornelscourt Stakes and both fillies have since run in France with American Sonja faring the better winning a Listed race at Longchamp.

There may not be much to choose between the pair dropping back to seven furlongs.

Joseph O’Brien also has strong claims with Hotrocket in the Follow Fairyhouse On Social Media Handicap (7.20) with Conor Stone-Walsh taking off a valuable 7lb.

The Carriganog trainer also has fancied runners at Dundalk where the Declan McDonogh-ridden Sandy Creek (in the 3.25) and Shamwari (5.00) look set to go off at cramped odds.

An eight-race card on the polytrack at Dundalk begins at 1.55 while the action at Fairyhouse, which also hosts an eight-race all Flat card, commences at 4.50.

The going at Fairyhouse remains good following just over 3mm of rain in the past 24 hours. The forecast is mainly dry with the possibility of showers.

About Alan Magee
Alan has worked in the racing industry for well over 30 years including with the Sporting Life, Turform and Irish Racing Services. He took up his current role as Irish Racing Team Leader with the Press Association in 2013. He has a keen interest in most sports and plays golf.