IRISH short-distance runners have looked vulnerable on several occasions in recent years once top British sprinters came to town, but Arizona Blaze (9/4 joint-favourite) refused to lie down to the visiting party and posted a blistering front-running display to win the Group 2 Barberstown Castle Sapphire Stakes.
A cracking second in the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot on his last start apparently left no ill effects on the tough and talented three-year-old, and he wasn’t for pegging back in finishing two lengths too good for Ed Walker’s Temple Stakes winner Mgheera. David Egan was positive on the Adrian Murray-trained performer and it paid off.
Kia Joorabchian, whose Amo operation owns the colt in partnership with Giselle De Aguiar, said: “We’ve had a tough time at the Curragh but this horse deserved a big win. The entire team at Amo, whether it’s in the UK or here, needed this little boost. We’ve had a little bit of a tough start to the season but it’s been good.
“This horse loves five furlongs and can go six and seven. Hopefully we’ll have a lot more fun with him. I think we’ll aim for the Breeders’ Cup. I think he’ll get a Group 1 somewhere.”
Ado’s sweet 60th
A feeling of unfinished business fuelled Ado McGuinness’ bid to buy back Go Athletico at the Arqana Deauville Autumn Sale for €70,000 last November, and that investment paid off when the smart sprinter rediscovered his old sparkle to capture the €100,000 Kwiff Supercharged Betting Scurry Handicap.
A Group 3 winner of the Renaissance Stakes here two years ago, the handicapper had given this seven-year-old a chance to bounce back off a falling mark of 86 and he took full advantage under Shane Foley at 20/1.
McGuinness said: “It’s a nice birthday present - I’m the big 60 today. I suppose class is permanent and form is temporary and he did lose his form big time. He does want juice in the ground and the ground is kind.
“I’m delighted for the owners, Jimmy [Fairhurst], a big supporter of mine, and Cyril [McMullan]. He’ll probably pitch up at Galway now in the Ahonoora. We were mad to get him back at the sales.”
STEPPING up in distance looks to have unlocked a host of new possibilities for dual Group 1 winner Al Riffa (4/5 favourite), who bolted up on his first try at a mile and six furlongs in the Group 2 Michael John Kennedy Curragh Cup.
Both of Joseph O’Brien’s previous Melbourne Cup winners, Rekindling and Twilight Payment, managed to win this prize and the possibility of this five-year-old heading down under has also been raised by connections.
Having switched off nicely from behind the pace, there was an awful lot to like about how the son of Wootton Bassett quickened up and put the race to bed without major fuss a furlong and a half from home under Dylan Browne McMonagle.
“No-one ever felt that he needed that trip but it made sense,” said O’Brien’s race planner Kevin Blake.
“I’d say it’s most likely that he’ll go straight to the Irish Leger from here. The Melbourne Cup is in the minds thereafter. We all know what comes with that [in terms of medical checks for international runners] but that would be what we’d like to do, if we’re allowed.”
Ryan’s landmark
O’Brien has an excellent record in the first nursery of the season, sponsored by Lavazza, but came up just short when his Which Wolf Wins bumped into the Jack Davison-trained Stop The Nation - a key winner for last year’s champion apprentice James Ryan.
Owned by the New Recruits Partnership, the 15/2 shot was also continuing an excellent weekend on and off the track for the winning handler.
“I had a baby boy at 11.59pm last night and James Ryan has lost his claim here, so it’s a real feel-good winner on many fronts,” said Davison. “This is a good colt who is learning the whole time. He’ll be a lovely horse for the Goffs Million. I thought he’d win today I’m delighted James has ridden out his claim for me, he’s a big part of the team.”
THE world is True Love’s oyster after proving in a different league to her Gain Railway Stakes rivals - becoming the first filly to win the Group 2 since Eva Luna in 1994.
Only four went to post for the race won by French Guineas hero Henri Matisse 12 months ago, and just one of them counted - the 1/2 favourite. The Coolmore partners’ Queen Mary Stakes star was ridden with a little restraint and blitzed her rivals by five lengths without being asked tough questions.
Speaking after his record-extending 14th win in the race, Aidan O’Brien said:”Obviously she’s fast so we weren’t sure that she’d get six furlongs. The Phoenix Stakes would be there for her as well as the Prix Morny and the Cheveley Park. It was a Group 2 today and she’d be ready for one of those Group 1s now.”
New promise
The last half dozen renewals of the seven-furlong Juddmonte Chaldean Irish EBF Maiden has showcased a host of high-class sorts, including The Lion In Winter, Henry Longfellow, Al Riffa, Mac Swiney and Russian Emperor, so it’s worth giving due respect to those who fought out the finish of this year’s running.
O’Brien supplied the 1-2-3 in the Irish Oaks day opener, as 10/11 favourite New Zealand clung on by a nose under Ryan Moore to deny an eyecatching Isaac Newton (Jack Cleary), while the third-placed Action (Wayne Lordan) made a most pleasing debut of his own when running on late. The trio all look to have blacktype potential.
“He’s a lovely big horse who hasn’t a clue what he’s doing yet,” said O’Brien. “He’s massive, the power and the size of him. We’ll go gently and let him come on.”
Coen on time
Murtagh had newcomer Tashakour run a lovely race to finish sixth in the same contest and ended the day with a maiden winner of his own when Shelbiana made her experience count in the seven-furlong Cavalor “Bronchix Pulmo” Irish EBF Fillies Maiden.
Ben Coen came with a well-timed challenge in the Aga Khan colours to edge out big-priced newcomers Therewillbeglory (Andy Slattery) and Grecian Power (Eddie Lynam) in a head success at 3/1.
“She deserved that, she ran very well last week [when third in a Leopardstown handicap],” said Murtagh.
“Ben thought she had come out of the race really well and it’s just nice to win another maiden. It’s a box ticked for her. She should be able to get a mile. She tries very hard.”