THE Paddy Twomey-trained Foxtrot Liv produced the most striking effort of the day as she looked a class act in dismantling a large field in style in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Median Auction Maiden to indicate that she is more than ready to tackle stakes company.
The Emma Kennedy-owned daughter of Foxwedge came into this seven-furlong event off two promising runs in defeat.
She looks a filly firmly on the up judging by this wide-margin victory which was achieved with any amount to spare.
Throughout the race the eye was drawn to the strong-travelling 6/4 favourite and when Billy Lee asked her to assert inside the last couple of furlongs her response was emphatic. Foxtrot Liv cruised clear to finish with half a dozen lengths to spare over Syrena.
“She’s a very nice filly and she’s now had three runs so that experience should be a help to her going forward,” said Twomey.
“I was hoping she might do something like that and hopefully she will progress. She’s a filly with a good temperament and she’s very easy to do anything with and we’ll have a sit down now and decide what to do. She’s in a couple of stakes races.”
GIRL POWER
An excellent first season for the It’s All About The Girls syndicate yielded another victory as Chicas Amigas dropped down in class from a couple of runs at pattern level to land the Mongey Communications Race.
The daughter of Dragon Pulse was the 6/4 favourite to account for a field that contained a couple of previous winners and she set a steady pace under Colm O’Donoghue.
The market leader wasn’t going at all as well as some of her rivals passing the two furlong pole, and Evasive Power seemed sure to succeed when he moved ahead inside the distance, but a rallying Chicas Amigas dug deep to get back in front as she hit the line.
“She battled back well and she wants seven furlongs so we will move back up in trip now. Slightly easier ground might help her too. It’s brilliant for the syndicate, they are having a great time of it with this filly and Sparkle ‘n’ joy,” stated the trainer.
Jessica Harrington and O’Donoghue promptly followed up with St Brelades Bay in the six-furlong handicap.
The six-year-old didn’t run at all badly to be beaten just over three lengths into seventh in the Scurry Handicap last time and that effort saw him returned the 11/2 co-favourite of three.
St Brelades Bay mounted a strong challenge on the near side of the track to take charge of this race over the course of the last furlong, defeating Shore Step by one and three-quarter lengths.
“His owner Fiona Carmichael is here to see him today so it’s a great result. That’s the highest mark (87) that he has ever won off and he likes good, fast ground and he likes a bit of space too so bigger fields don’t suit him as well,” remarked Harrington.
FIRST WIN
The 95-rated Cruciatus was rewarded for beginning his career with three decent runs in defeat as he justified 9/4 favouritism in the seven-furlong Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden.
Related to the great American champion Easy Goer, the colt was fourth in the Anglesey Stakes on his penultimate outing.
He went to the front in the early stages for Kevin Manning and he showed a good attitude throughout the last quarter of a mile. After first shaking off Pulse Of Shanghai to hold a clear lead entering the last furlong, the son of Teofilo held on bravely to finish with a head to spare over Dumouriez.
“There was no pace early on so Kevin had to get on with it but we’ll consider going back in trip to six furlongs with him. I’ve nothing specific in mind but I’d say he could go back into stakes races,” remarked Bolger, whose wife, Jackie, owns the colt.
After beginning her career with two respectable efforts, Johnny Murtagh’s Tough Spirit took a step forward to edge a three-way battle for the seven-furlong fillies’ maiden.
The Iffraaj three-year-old got to the front for Shane Foley around a furlong from home. She was all-out late on as Julienne and Intermedia both finished off strongly. They crossed the line in unison, but the Ann Marshall-owned Tough Spirit got the verdict by a nose.
“I was a little disappointed by her last run at Leopardstown but Colin Keane just felt that the ground was quick enough for her there,” commented Murtagh.
“She’s a beautifully bred filly, from the family of Park Appeal, who always showed a nice bit and she should improve with some ease in the ground. A nice fillies’ handicap would be a good stepping stone to see where she fits in.”
TIGHT FINISH
The James Nash-trained Hammersmith came out the right side of a tight finish to the six-furlong Ryans Cleaning Event Specialists Nursery Handicap as he dropped down in class having contested the Tyros Stakes last time.
Ben Coen’s mount was nicely placed towards the head of the main field as Emily Grace set a searing pace, but the 7/1 chance took time to pick up. To his credit, Hammersmith responded to his rider’s promptings in the closing stages to see off Chernish by a head.
“He hasn’t shown it at home but in his races he has just been a bit green and awkward,” reported Nash, who trains this son of No Nay Never for the HLT Partnership.
“He’s big, good looking horse so he should improve from here and we’re looking toward the final of the Foran Series in the autumn.
“He got a very good ride from Ben.”
A Likely Story (8/1) secured his second success of the season in the 30-runner 45-70 rated handicap over six furlongs.
The experienced five-year-old has been holding his form well since winning at Dundalk in April and he showed a willing attitude for Colin Keane in the closing stages to see off Lily’s Prince by a neck.
“He deserved that, he’s been running consistently. He’s a good fun horse for the summer and will go for something similar again,” observed McCourt, whose charge is owned by John McGovern.
ACTING STEWARDS
N.B. Wachman, L. McFerran, C.P. Magnier, J. Rearden, P.D. Matthews
HORSE TO FOLLOW
SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE (A.P. O’Brien): This Australia half-brother to Rekindling made a bright start to his career with a strong-finishing fourth in the maiden won by Cruciatus. He could take a good deal of beating when he turns out again.