FRESH from cheering home Cercene to finish third in the Irish 1000 Guineas, Joe Murphy landed a valuable prize in the QuinnBet Spring Fillies Handicap, much to the dismay of Jessica Harrington, whose Gloriously Glam (16/1) was one of six seconds for the trainer at the meeting.
The eventual runner-up set the pace under Keithen Kennedy, while Gary Carroll settled Shiota (3/1) towards the back of the field and began to make headway from two furlongs out.
The 89-rated chesnut produced a smart turn of foot to dispute inside the final 110 yards and got her nose in front where it mattered most, the pair rallying two and a half lengths clear of the winner’s stablemate Lady Lilac in third.
On whether he thought Shiota had gotten up, Murphy replied: “I wasn’t sure but I kept my conference to myself and walked off the stands. I was delighted to hear number three, which is a lucky number for me.
On future plans for the Gerard Kervick and Crampscastle Bloodstock-owned three-year-old, the trainer commented: “I think she can go up the ranks and the next race is a listed race in Killarney, then we’ll work up from there. We’re talking about maybe making an entry for the Britannia but we’ll see.”
Carroll on the double
Gary Carroll, who was aboard Cercene in the feature race, completed a quickfire double in the Cryoclinic.ie Handicap aboard Gavin Cromwell’s dual-purpose campaigner Robbies Rock.
Two months and two starts since finishing second in the Fred Winter at Cheltenham, the Masar gelding was sent off 5/1 for the mile-and-six-furlong contest and raced in touch with the leaders.
Pushed along turning for home, the Sean Costine-owned gelding was ridden to lead two furlongs out and was soon in command, going on to score by three lengths.
“That was lovely,” Carroll remarked. “The big, galloping track suited him more than Killarney and the cheekpieces today really sharpened him up. He did it nicely and that will probably put him into a premier handicap, maybe Derby weekend. Hopefully he can take another step forward.”
Ride of the day
This award undoubtedly goes to Ryan Moore for his inspired ride on Los Angeles in the Tattersalls Gold Cup. As Aidan O’Brien later told us, “No horse enjoys a fight more than him,” which must have been why Moore got to the front with plenty of time for a challenger to arrive and eyeball his mount. Spare a thought for Jim Crowley, who must have felt pretty confident when looming alongside on Anmaat, only for Los Angeles to snatch back the advantage.
Question of the day
“I wanna know, have you ever seen the rain?” Whoever chose the music playing in the stands is a fan of Creedence Clearwater Revival, was likely dry indoors all day and probably laughs at their own jokes.
Eyecatcher of the day
Not Just Any Eagle returned to a career-high mark of 81 after winning a Leopardstown handicap over a mile and a half and judging by his effort nine days later in the mile-and-six-furlong handicap, he looks more than capable of further progression.
Pat Flynn’s six-year-old waited for a gap on the inside rail and by the time Robyn Donaghue-Leahy had asked for an effort after the two-furlong pole, their rivals had already gained greater momentum. He finished well to take fifth, just a head behind the fourth and length behind the third.
Quote of the day
“I haven’t seen him smile like that in a long time,” Aidan O’Brien on Ryan Moore after the pair completed a Group 1 double with Lake Victoria