PERSISTENT rain throughout the day turned early morning good ground to soft before racing but that proved no problem to Copacabana Sands who followed up a listed win at Naas last month by landing the Group 3 Barberstown Castle Stakes in fine style.
The 11-runner field spread out across the track in the straight and Wayne Lordan had to switch right on Copacabana Sands over a furlong out to get a clear run. The 11/2 chance, available at 10/1 earlier in the day, soon quickened impressively and kept on strongly inside the final 100 yards to beat Easy by a length and three quarters with Zodiac Bear in third.
“She won her listed race on good ground the last day, but Wayne felt she probably improved for that ground,” said trainer Michael O’Callaghan. “She found trouble again in running, she seems to do that, but she showed a bit of class and a bit of grit to get out and quicken up to win well.
“We’ll probably plan an autumn campaign for her. The ground would be a factor and she’s also been on the go from early in the spring. She was bought since the last day by Barbara Keller, a lady that I know about 10 years or maybe more and it’s great to get her back in the yard.”
Following up
Brownstown confirmed the promise of a barrier trial win at Naas last month when making a successful debut under rules in the Irish EBF Median Sires Series Fillies Maiden.
The daughter of Cracksman, trained by Gavin Cromwell for Alymer Stud, was prominent throughout and left in front after She’s Too Kool ran right out off the home bend. The 3/1 chance asserted to go over three lengths clear a furlong out, but that advantage was reduced to half a length over Flawless Fusion at the line.
Winning rider Gary Carroll said: “She’s a filly we like a lot – a big, long-striding filly who travels well and has a gear.
“She picked up to win well and has got tired inside the furlong pole. She had a good blow, and the ground is probably as slow as she wants it. She has a bit of class.”
Redemption
Sindria turned around previous Naas form with Shakazia to land the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Maiden, with the well-backed 3/1 shot finishing strongly inside the final furlong under Chris Hayes to touch off that rival by a head.
“The ground was probably a bit quick for her at Naas, and she ran too free early on,”said Dermot Weld who trains the daughter of Kodiac for Jastar Capital Limited.
“She finished about four lengths behind the favourite in Naas and we’ve spent a lot of time over the last couple of weeks just getting her to relax and settle to enjoy her work.”
‘THE 1878 At 3Arena’ Apprentice Handicap was the most valuable of five handicaps on the card and 9/2 joint-favourite Masoun was prominent throughout before asserting early in the straight under Wayne Hassett to beat Bill Silvers by a length and a half.
“Nine or 10 furlongs is probably a good trip and Wayne gave him a lovely positive ride,” said trainer Joseph O’Brien. “If he gets into Ascot next week in a handicap he’ll go as the owners (Go Racing Limited) are over, and hopefully we’ll find something for him in the Curragh over Derby weekend.”
Shaool (12/1 to 7/1) was the easiest winner of the evening, quickening up smartly from over a furlong out before stretching clear under Yudish Geerdharry to beat Annie’s Angel by four and a half lengths in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Handicap.
“It took us a while to get her to win. She works nicely at home, and I’d say the ground was a big help,” said trainer Johnny Murtagh. “I’m delighted she won as the lads (Broadfield Group Syndicate) are after flying in from America and it’s great that they are here.”
Finsceal Annie (4/1) again showed her liking for seven furlongs when recording a third career win in the Gain The Advantage Series Handicap, leading inside the final furlong under Dylan Browne McMonagle to beat Free Solo by a length and a quarter.
“She’s a grand consistent filly and was in season the last day. Seven furlongs or a mile is fine but seven is probably her sweet spot. She’ll come back here again next Thursday all being well and is a fun horse for the lads (Legends Galore Syndicate),” said trainer Ciaran Murphy.
SMAOINEAMH Sile is also likely to return here next Thursday after recording her fourth course-and-distance win in division one of the BoyleSports ‘Best Odds From 8am’ Handicap.
Jamie Powell elected to remain on the far rail as all his rivals raced up the favoured centre and the decision proved inspired as the 14/1 chance kept on strongly in front to beat Roderick by a length and a quarter.
Winning trainer John McConnell sai: “I’m delighted for Peter (Commane, owner) who is a long-standing supporter. We had a chat on the phone whether we were going to run on the ground. She hadn’t run on it much, so we said we’d take a chance.
“Between myself and Jamie we said we’d stick to the rail as she leans left anyway. I think she loved it running on her own – she’s very genuine.”
On a roll
Deuteronomy took 29 starts before opening his account at Gowran Park earlier this month but wasted no time following up for the father and daughter combination of Robbie and Nicola Burns in division two.
Still She Blooms set a strong gallop under Robbie Colgan and still held a three-length advantage early in the final furlong but was pegged back close home.
“I have to thank Conor O’Brien a vet down in Cork who did a job on a soft palate and said I’d have a different horse,” said Burns, who trains the 6/1 winner for Anthony McLoughlin. “I always thought he was a horse that would go on any ground and Nicola gave him a great ride
Colgan picked up a five-day whip ban on the runner-up.