Luca Brillante

(Dermot Weld)

Curragh, August 9th

It’s not too often that a 125/1 shot catches the eye in a Curragh maiden, but there was definitely a hint of promise in what Dermot Weld and Moyglare Stud’s Luca Brillante showed when sixth in the six-furlong maiden for two-year-olds last Sunday.

It had been three months since we’d seen this No Nay Never filly debut at Naas, never making any sort of impression then, and this was much more encouraging. She got some early cover, which looked to be a help, and then quickened up quite well as the race began to unfold.

Her effort tapered off a little late on into seventh, shaping as though she’d improve for this first start in 92 days, and perhaps she might even have the speed for five furlongs on slightly kinder ground (winning rider of this maiden described the ground as “proper good to firm”). Given she hasn’t posted major figures on either of her first two starts, she could be a lovely candidate for a nursery, depending on how her next appearance goes.

This half-sister to the 92-rated Nation’s Call, out of dual Group 3 winner Making Light, is by far the fastest and earliest to come from her immediate family.

My Lucky Journey

(Fozzy Stack)

Curragh, August 9th

In the same event, a couple of places - and just over two lengths - in front of Luca Brillante was a promising Starspangledbanner juvenile named My Lucky Journey, trained by Fozzy Stack for owner Stanley Tsang. This brother to recent York handicap winner Antipodes (now rated 99) looks sure to win races on what he’s shown to start his career.

Having shown some inexperience on debut when fourth to the subsequent Group 2 Richmond Stakes winner Man’s Best Friend, he probably took a step forward here - even if the margin between him and old rival New Bond Street got a little bigger.

He was one of the quickest in this 19-runner line-up to reach 20mph, as per RaceiQ, and had to do a lot of hard running on his own towards the stand’s side without any cover.

To his credit, he stuck to his task with an excellent attitude and gave the impression he could stay seven furlongs if required. This was a maiden with some lofty reputations involved and he held his own admirably at the right end of affairs.

Chattering Classes

(Jessica Harrington)

Curragh, August 9th

Even if a patient ride probably helped see her to best effect off an honest pace, there was still a lot to like about how Chattering Classes finished off on her debut in what is traditionally a strong seven-furlong fillies’ event at the Curragh (won by the well-regarded Ibelieveicanfly this year).

Only the winner finished out the final two furlongs stronger than Jessica Harrington’s daughter of Ghaiyyath, according to the Coursetrack sectionals. She finished fourth, beaten six and a half lengths, and gave every indication she can open her account in a mile maiden in due course for Juliet Cooper before a good three-year-old campaign.

There were any number of smartly-bred fillies in the line-up and this one looks quite well bought at 52,000gns from Book 2 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale.

Benown

(Joseph O’Brien)

Curragh, August 9th

One of the biggest eye-catchers of the week came in the seven-furlong juvenile maiden won by Shakespeare when Joseph O’Brien’s seemingly unfancied newcomer Benown outran his odds of 33/1 in a major way to finish second to the well-backed Ballydoyle favourite.

For a brief moment, it even looked as though Joey Sheridan might be about to cause a shock when E S Racing’s Starspangledbanner colt began to roll home, though the more experienced winner duly found plenty for pressure and put a length and a quarter between them at the line.

Ridden patiently down the rail, he appeared to relish passing horses and possibly showed a little of his inexperience when having to try battle with Shakespeare at the death.

The ability he showed in defeat looks more than enough to win a maiden and he could be a lovely prospect at three.