Port Fairy will head Aidan O'Brien's Irish Oaks bid at the Curragh on Saturday.
Port Fairy will face a maximum of fourteen rivals in Saturday's Group 1 Irish Oaks at the Curragh following Thursday morning's latest declaration stage.
The daughter of Australia will be attempting to make it back-to-back top-level victories following her neck success in the Ribblesdale Stakes at Royal Ascot over Lava Stream, who looks set to reoppose having been supplemented at a cost of €50,000 by connections earlier in the week.
Port Fairy will lead a three-pronged attack for Aidan O'Brien, who bids to land the Curragh Classic for a record-extending eighth time, with both Content and Rubies Are Red featuring amongst the fourteen declarations. The former finished off her race powerfully when third in the Group 1 Pretty Polly Stakes last month and will be tackling the mile-and-a-half trip for the first time, while the latter was a disappointing ninth behind Port Fairy at Royal Ascot.
Powerhouse operation Wathnan Racing will be represented by one of their latest recruits Lope De Lilas. The Willie Mullins-trained filly ran out an emphatic winner of a Leopardstown maiden in May and is as short as 4/1 in places to take the leap up to Group 1 company in her stride.
The Chantilly-based Irishman Gavin Hernon saddles Prix de Diane fifth Dare To Dream, while Lava Stream will be joined by fellow UK contenders War Chimes and You Got To Me, who will represent David Menuisier and Ralph Beckett respectively.
The Aga Khan-owned Hanalia, who was also supplemented earlier in the week, will attempt to give Johnny Murtagh a first success in the contest as a trainer. The Irishmen partnered a record six Irish Oaks winners during his time in the saddle.
Ground at the Curragh is currently described as good, good-to-firm (in places). Clerk of the course Brendan Sheridan said: "We're forecast light drizzle on and off today then we're dry tomorrow with more rain coming in tomorrow night into Saturday morning, with a possibility of it bringing 7-8mm.
"The ground at present is good, good-to-firm (in places). We'll monitor the situation regarding selective watering and at the moment we're in a good place."
Paddy Power makes Port Fairy their 11/4 market leader following declarations, with the unexposed Lope De Lilas next in the betting at 4/1.
