Shepherd's Purse© Photo Healy Racing
Joe Murphy admits lack of experience is a concern for Shepherd's Purse as the exciting juvenile turns out for the second successive weekend in the Nestle Supporting Irish Autism Action Round Tower Stakes at the Curragh.
The Pastoral Pursuits colt made a big impression when winning in maiden company over course and distance last Saturday and is immediately stepped up to Group Three level due to a lack of suitable opportunities.
"It might be coming a bit soon for him, but if you look at the calendar there aren't a lot of races left for him to run in. He's come out of last week's race well and there is no reason not to run him," said the trainer.
"You'd prefer to have a bit more experience before taking on the better horses as he might be a bit green, but the only way to get rid of that greenness is to run him in the better races.
"If he runs a nice race, we'll be happy, and I'm sure whatever he does he'll learn from it. That's the way we're looking at it."
Three-times winner Cappella Sansevero undoubtedly sets the standard, having also filled the runner-up spot in the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot. Most recently he finished third in the Group One Phoenix Stakes.
Aidan O'Brien 's War Envoy and the Michael O'Callaghan-trained Rapid Applause have also shown up well in Pattern company, with maiden winners Invincible Diamond and Blackbriar adding further strength in depth.
It took Tommy Stack's Blackbriar seven attempts to get off the mark, but she did so in style at Cork earlier in the month and c onnections are hoping she can enhance her value by picking up some black type.
Fozzy Stack, the trainer's son and assistant, said: "She has plenty of experience and won well in Cork the last day. I think maybe putting the cheekpieces on her helped, but this is a tougher race and if she can finish in the first three we'll be delighted."
The seven-strong field is completed by Ted Walsh's maiden Approbare 0A
