JOSEPH O’Brien kept up his brilliant run of form with a 28.25/1 double at Gowran Park, highlighted by the victory of Star Performer (5/1 - 7/2) in the featured Darley Irish EBF Hurry Harriet Stakes (Listed Race).
Carrying the colours of Doreen Tabor, the daughter of Sea The Stars was positioned towards the rear early on, before Declan McDonagh switched her left off the home bend and quickened to lead over a furlong out.
Although still showing signs of greenness, the €160,000 purchase won going away by four and a half lengths from Hollys Graces.
Winning trainer Joseph O’Brien said: “She won nicely on debut, and this was an obvious stepping stone. You’d have to be impressed.
“She’ll step into a group race now. Everything will be about trying to build that profile for her to be a nice broodmare.”
Kentucky on the cards
O’Brien completed his brace in the Irish EBF Median Sires Series Maiden as Simon Munir and Isaac Souede’s $300,000 two-year-old, Citrus Springs (11/4 - 11/2) opened her account on her third start, making short work of Mirren, by an eased down five lengths under Dylan Browne McMonagle.
“She’s improved with each start. I thought she was impressive to win today from that draw.
“She obviously had to use a lot of energy early and she pulled away in the last furlong.
“She looks a nice filly,” commented Joseph O’Brien. “We’ll probably have a look at going to Kentucky Downs with her.”
BILLY Lee also completed a double on the day with the first leg being the Michael Grassick-trained Lohoobb (7/2) in the Final Furlong Podcast With 1XBET Handicap.
Mac Group’s three-year-old colt made all to score by one and three-quarter lengths from Indigo Dream.
“There is probably a front-running bias today. He’s done it well. He jumped nicely, travelled really well and, when I picked him up, he picked up really well,” commented winning rider Lee.
“I thought he ran well the first day in Naas and he wasn’t beaten far the last day. I’m very happy today that he’s had a win. Those sharp tracks probably suit him, so hopefully he’ll win another.”
Doubling up
Rock of Clermont (6/1) clearly benefited from the application of cheekpieces, as he broke his duck at the third attempt for owner Annette O’Callaghan in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Median Auction Maiden. Lee’s mount led over a furlong out and kept on well to score with one and three-quarter lengths back to Lord Darragh.
Winning trainer Andy Oliver said: “He’s a horse that’s improved with every run. He needed the extra furlong.
“He’s a big horse and he just took the time to develop. He did it quite nicely and, when Billy got to the front, he wasn’t doing an awful lot. The cheekpieces just helped him focus.”
Bouncing back
The Johnny Murtagh-owned and trained Fixation bounced back from his recent disappointment at the Galway Festival by landing the McEnery Cup Handicap.
Sent off 9/4 favourite under Ben Coen, Fixation came through to lead over one furlong out and galloped his rivals mercilessly into submission to score by four lengths from Star Harbour.
“It all went wrong for him in Galway at the start. He was messy again today, but he missed the start in Galway. Ben said he never got a clear run, so he’d an easy race,” reported Murtagh.
“This was the next logical step. He’s not slow, but around here you need a bit of pace and he won very well. I think we’ll wait until Champions Weekend now.”
THERE were also doubles for owner-trainer combination of Ado McGuinness and Paul Hardman, starting in the opening Gowran Park Golf Optional Claiming Race, as the well-backed Minaun View (8/1 - 2/1 favourite) made all under Patrick McGettigan and held off the staying-on Mythical Rock by a length and a quarter close home.
Ado McGuinness enthused: “In her grade, she’s able to hold her own. She gets the weight off the horses that are in not to be claimed, so that’s a big help. We’ll probably try and claim her back.
“We ran her in Galway but she was a bit out of her comfort zone drawn wide. I didn’t think she’d handle the ground today, but she did. She’s a good fun filly.”
Winner number two
The combination’s second winner came in the first division of the 1XBET Irish Spirit handicap in the form of She’s Ideal (11/2 - 11/4).
The four-year-old filly quickened up to lead under two furlongs out, but she was headed inside the final 200 yards.
The filly fought back under Sam Coen to regain her advantage over 50 yards out and won going away by a length and a half from Perfect Judgement.
“She came out of a claimer for five grand a couple of weeks ago. We claimed her in Ballinrobe after she beat my other filly (Minaun View). It’s not too often you give five grand for one and they win so quick,” commented McGuinness.
“She’ll probably go into something similar. She has plenty of ability.”
Making a breakthrough
Reponse Finale (9/2) finally got her head in front, at the 21st attempt, for the Poetry In Motion Syndicate and Gavin Cromwell in the second division for 1XBET Irish Spirit handicap.
The daughter of Inns Of Court led when asked by Robert Whearty two furlongs out and, although beating Medieval Night by a diminishing length and three-quarters, she won cosily.
Whearty commented: “She has a tendency to be slow away. She liked that nice ground there today. She’s first reserve on Friday. If she gets in, I’d imagine they’ll take their chance.”