Let me begin with Set Alight’s going-away win in the Kingfisher Derby at Bangalore. A girl winning a Grade I race beating the boys is something special. Set Alight had given enough evidence of her potential in Mumbai. The Vijay Mallya-owned filly has found the perfect partner in Mallesh Narredu.

I spoke to Mallesh. He was happy to receive the call. “I am delighted. She’s the best (filly) I have been on. She has tremendous ability. It was an armchair ride.”

I asked Mallesh about Set Alight’s stamina. “The longer the better for her. She will be a major player in the winter Classics. I hope everything goes well with her.”

Suraj was humble and polite when I congratulated him for winning his 700th race and for winning the Maharaja’s Cup with Alekona. “I can’t be happier. It is all coming together.”

At the Curragh on Sunday, Aidan O’Brien won the Darley Irish Oaks. Moonstone was the winning filly and was ridden by John Murtagh. Moonstone, the 2-1 favourite, beat Ice Queen, Colm O’Donoghue up, a 66-1 chance, in a photo finish. Ice Queen sat third and hit the front with 400 metres to run. Moonstone was produced in the last 200 metres. Ice Queen, despite moving to the left under pressure, had the lead until the last stride. It was a short head win. The time was 2 34.7 for 2400 metres. The race was worth 206,250 pounds to the winning connections. The weather was perfect at Kildare.

It was trainer Aidan O’Brien’s third consecutive win in the Irish Oaks and his seventh Irish Classic win in a row. Moonstone gave O’Brien his 13th Grade I win this year.

Gagnoa took third and gave owners Michael Tabor and John Magnier the 1-2-3 spots in the Irish Oaks.

Trainer O’Brien said, “it was a great race with two jockeys and the two fillies giving it their all. It was the usual; masterful ride from Johnny and Colm gave his filly a great ride too.”

I was unable to reach Colm O’Donoghue for a comment or two.

Jockey Wayne Lordan rode two winners at the Curragh. He won with Navajo Moon at 12-1 and his other winner was Bushranger at 7-2.

Chris Hayes had two wins as well. He clicked with Driving Snow at 7-1 and made it all with Masta Plasta, the 9-2 favourite.

Let us turn to Saturday’s action in America. Curlin’s Arc plans hit a bump in the Man O’ War Stakes at Belmont Park. Curlin was fourth as Sudan and Mission Approved set quick fractions. Red Rocks was third and took command soon after turning for home and beat back a tepid bid from Curlin. Better Talk Now rallied late to be third. The time was 2 12.6 for the 2200-metre race. Red Rocks won by two lengths. The Grade I Man O’War carried a purse of $500,000.

Brian Meeehan, trainer of Red Rocks, was thrilled. “He has not been given the kudos he deserves since he won the Breeders’ Cup in 2006. Today, he confirmed he’s one of the best middle distance horses in the world.”

Javier Castellano rode Red Rocks and the BC Turf at Santa Anita is one of the Meehan-trained colt’s targets. Red Rocks, a 6-1 chance, had blinkers on for the first time.

Curlin’s connections have a lot of head-scratching to do. Yes, Curlin ran well but was not the tiger he is on dirt. Where does Curlin go from here?

Jess Jackson, the majority owner, explained. “That was a good test for where he is at this point. It makes the decision harder. He lacked that kick he usually has. He’s a notch below where I expected him to be right now. May be, another test on the turf is needed.”

Red Rocks carried Paul Reddam’s colors. Purple and white hoops were again the winning colors at Calder Racecourse in Florida where what was called a ‘summit of speed’ was held. Mistical Plan, owned by Reddam and trained by Doug O’Neill, disputed the lead with the odds on Dream Rush and drew away to win the Grade I Princess Rooney by nearly six lengths. Mistical Plan, in the hands of Cory Nakatani, clocked 1 10.76 for 1200 metres and paid $18.20. Miraculous Miss came on late to peg back Dream Rush for the bridesmaid role.

Trainer O’Neill spoke about Mistical Plan’s immediate future. “This race is placed perfectly on the calendar. It gives you a chance to get your feet wet against the best in the country. We are considering the (G I) Ballerina at Saratoga on Aug 24 and then go west.”

The Princess Rooney was a ‘you win and you’re in’ race and Mistical Plan has a place in the BC Sprint this October.

At Calder in the Smile Handicap, Benny The Bull, the 13-10 favourite, was held up and shot past the leaders when asked to score by two lengths. The time was 1 11.41 for 1200 metres. Edgar Prado was the winning jockey. Benny The Bull has now won five races at five different tracks. The Smile Handicap was another ‘you win and you’re in’ race.

Richard Dutrow, Jr, Benny The Bull’s trainer, had this to say. “It was one of his better efforts. Either the Forego or the Vosburgh at Saratoga is next. Then it’s time to think about the BC Sprint.”

Tyler Baze ride Tres Borrachos to a convincing win in Hollywood Park’s Grade II Swaps. Only four ran. Baze waited with Tres Borrachos and took full advantage of an opening along the fence. The race was over 1800 metres on polytrack and the time was 1 49.29. Tres Borrachos returned $24.00.The beaten favourite, at 10 to 6 on, was Colonel John who was making his reappearance after his run in the Kentucky Derby in early May.

Jockey Baze said,” It was a monster race. I won the (Hollywood) Gold Cup with Mast Track. Got married and now the Swaps. It could not be better.”

Tres Borrachos, in Spanish, means ‘three drunks.’

Proud Spell, a flop in the Mother Goose two weeks ago, made amends in the Grade II Delaware Oaks. Gabriel Saez rode Proud Spell who was the 10 to 3 on choice.

At Arlington Park, three races of significance were contested. Tizdejavu, Rene Douglas aboard, won the American Derby from the word ‘Go.’ Tizdejavu paid $3.40.

Stream Cat lowered the colors of the strongly fancied Cosmonaut in the Arlington Handicap. James Graham was the winning rider.

In the Grade III Modesty handicap, Rene Douglas came out on top with Communiqué who was a 39-10 chance.