BIG Gossey’s ever-growing fan club expanded further as he took the Listed Jebel Ali Racecourse & Stables Dash Stakes in dramatic style at the weekend, leaving it late to wear down his rivals.

In doing so he notched up a 10th win at the Curragh, but in behind the lightly-raced Fregada caught the eye, writes Will Hayler.

The return to six furlongs really suited her after disappointing over the minimum trip at Cork.

She had the lowest stride cadence of the first four home at the Curragh, pointing to potential further improvement if going back up to seven furlongs – a suggestion enhanced by the way she was coming home, her chances of winning having already disappeared when interfered with by the errant runner-up.

A clearer run and a step up in trip can see John Feane’s filly back in the winner’s enclosure before long.

The following contest saw Booyea run a blinder to finish second to Pierre Royal in the Dubai Duty Free Derby Festival Handicap over a mile.

With the handicapper having slightly eased his grip, Tom Gibney’s runner was putting up his best performance for a while and somewhat unfortunate to bump into a well-backed and unexposed rival.

The race registered a RaceiQ time index of 9.3 out of 10 which points to it being very strong for the grade and Booyea finished clear of the remainder in what had looked a most competitive contest on paper.

Quick ground seems essential to this four-time winner and the handicapper has responded by pushing his rating back up by 5lb, but when he gets his conditions, he remains capable of scoring again.