STRAIGHT Answer looked like another potential star for Ger Lyons and Juddmonte when blowing away his opposition in the Listed Ballyhane Blenheim Stakes at Fairyhouse on Monday.
The Kodiac colt had made a big impression when scoring on his debut at the Curragh and went to post the 2/1 favourite for this step up in class on his second outing. Colin Keane bounced his mount out in front in the six-furlong contest and the result never looked in doubt.
Straight Answer bounded away from his rivals passing the two-furlong pole and went on to post a comprehensive five-and-a-half-length win over Glengarra.
The trainer was represented by his brother, and assistant, Shane and he commented: “We’re absolutely thrilled. He’s a work in progress. Ger and Barry (Mahon – Juddmonte’s European Racing Manager) will speak to the Abdullah family and see where we go now. He’ll probably be finished for this season.
“You can see him walking around there, he’s very calm and collected and he’s what a good horse needs to be. He’ll keep us dreaming anyway.”
His win had completed a double on the card for Lyons and Keane following the opening race victory of Recurrent Dream.
Convincing
The Vincent Gaul-owned colt was sent to post a 1/4 shot in the seven-furlong claimer and got the job done in convincing fashion. Keane sent his mount to the front early in the straight and he asserted in the closing stages to post a three-length win over Arch Enemy.
Shane Lyons said afterwards: “We were a bit worried about the ground as it’s on the quick side of good, that was the only negative.”
There were no claims in the race.
AWHILE looks destined for better things after a smooth success in the Soldiers Call at Ballyhane Maiden.
Aidan O’Brien’s charge stepped forward nicely from her debut run, leading early in the straight and easing up close home to beat Adelisa by a length and a quarter in the seven-furlong contest.
The 100/30 winner is a daughter of War Front and Oaks runner-up Wonder Of Wonders, and jockey Seamie Heffernan said afterwards: “She has a beautiful pedigree. It has taken her a while to get strong but she couldn’t have won any easier. She has a fair bit of ability, she’s a lovely filly.”
O’Brien’s son Donnacha was also on the mark in the finale when Moon Display ran out a cosy winner of the mile-and-five handicap.
She travelled well to lead two furlongs from home and went on to post a two-and-a-quarter-length victory over Lunar Power.
Winning rider Gavin Ryan said of the 13/2 winner: “She struggled to get her head in front over here but went to England for the Racing League and managed to score off a low weight. I’d say that probably boosted her confidence.”
The tightest finish of the day came in the Treo Eile Apprentice Handicap over seven furlongs and Got The Moves emerged on top after a photo finish.
Nathan Crosse conjured a late rattle out of the Andy Oliver-trained Vadamos filly as the 10/1 shot led on the line to beat Epaulawn by a short head. There was just a further head back to the third-placed Is That Love.
“Ideally she’d like a mile but in an apprentice race today they went hard and it suited her. She didn’t pull too much and came home well on the outside. Everything worked out well.” reported the winning rider.
THERE were tight finishes to the six-furlong handicaps on the card and it was Dandyville emerged on top after a terrific tussle with Lord Dudley in the Coast To Curragh Charity Cycle Handicap.
Natalia Lupini’s charge pressed Lord Dudley throughout and came to tackle his rival over a furlong from home.
Shane Foley got a good tune from the 100/30 shot as he edged ahead close home to record a head success.
The winner was recording his third victory of the campaign and the winning handler said: “We’ll see what the handicapper does now and see how he comes out of the race.”
The Ado McGuinness-trained Faraah, wo cost 200,000gns as a yearling, flashed home in the following 45-65 contest to gain an important bracket.
Ronan Whelan came wide and late on the 13/2 shot as she got up to beat Manhattan Dandy in a race where a length and a half separated the first four home.
McGuinness said: “She was an expensive filly at the sales so at least there is a winning bracket now for breeding. It’s job done but we’ll kick on with her and try and find something similar.”
Whelan was recording a double on the card having also partnered 4/1 joint-favourite Unconquerable Keen to victory in the Tattersalls Yearling Sale Nursery over the same six-furlong trip.
The Michael Halford-trained colt showed a nice attitude when shrugging off the challenge of Coumshingaun inside the final furlong to post a one-length success.
“He’s a fine big horse and he’s only getting the hang of sprinting now,” said Halford. “He’s a horse that we’d trade on, but if nobody comes for him we’ll keep going because I think there is a nice bit more to come from him.”