ACAPULCO made a perfect start for Aidan O’Brien at the Curragh last Sunday with a cosy victory in the Listed Sole Power Sprint Stakes for the Coolmore partnership.
The daughter of Scat Daddy, who is in foal to Galileo, was fitted with a hood for her reappearance and settled well for Donnacha O’Brien in the five-furlong contest.
The 11/8 favourite took a few strides to pick up when asked passing the two-furlong pole but hit the front inside the final furlong and was in command close home.
Ardhoomey finished well to get within half a length at the line of the 2015 Queen Mary winner.
“At home we were trying to get her to relax and that’s what the hood was all about. She was a bit lazy today but when I gave her a squeeze she quickened up nicely,” said Donnacha O’Brien afterwards. “I think when we take the hood off her she’ll step up again. It’s a lovely start.
“It was perfect for her first day, let her relax and enjoy it, so it worked.”
It was a double of the card for the O’Briens with Donnacha also partnering Actress to a comfortable success in the opening Irish Stallion Farms EBF (Fillies) Maiden, also for the Coolmore partnership.
The 1/3 shot tracked the leaders, travelling with ease, and was asked to hit the front inside the final furlong to beat Yolo Star by three-quarters of a length.
“Probably six furlongs would suit her even better but the race was here for her and she’s done it very nicely,” said the winning rider. “I don’t know if she’d run again but I suppose Ascot would have to be on the cards now.”
There was also a double on the day for Dermot Weld while Pat Smullen, who teamed up with his boss for two winners, went on to record a treble on the card.
Tandem initiated the Rosewell House brace with a tough performance to make it two from two for the season in the Courtyard Shopping Centre Newbridge Race for the Bellamy Syndicate.
The 13/8 favourite was produced to lead a furlong and a half from home and knuckled down well to record a half-length success over Jaqen H’Ghar.
“He’s a very consistent horse and got an excellent ride from Pat,” said Weld. “He’s an eight-year-old now so every day is good with him. We’ll look at a premier handicap, that’s the logical way.
“He’s after winning two nice races on two runs this season so we’re very pleased.”
The Aga Khan-owned Dabulena opened her account in the following Keadeen Hotel Fillies Maiden to give the pair their brace.
The 2/1 favourite went for home three furlongs out and kept on well in the closing stages to record a length success over newcomer Black Ruby.
“She’s a very consistent filly and the filly that beat her in Tipperary is smart,” said Weld. “She’s had three runs this spring so she’ll probably get a bit of a break now. We’ll play it by ear then.”
IRISH GUINEAS
The Irish Guineas is now on the cards for Irishcorrespondent after he made it two wins from two career starts in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Race.
Michael Halford’s charge went to post a 8/11 shot for the mile contest and pulled away in style inside the final furlong for a comprehensive four and a half-length win under Shane Foley.
“He has everything. He’s got temperament, action, cruising speed and he quickens. He’s a very smart horse,” said Halford, who trains the colt for Ballygallon Stud.
“We were half tempted to drop him back to seven for the Tetrarch but I thought the ground was very quick for him and I wasn’t keen on dropping him back to seven either.
“After he won his maiden we entered him in the Guineas at the second entry stage. It’s hard on the back of a maiden win to know what you have but I think after that we’d be tempted to take his chance.
“He had a little blow so we left a bit to work on. It’s only a fortnight away but the run should improve him.
“The good ones go on any ground but I just wouldn’t want it like the road.”
Ger Lyons enjoyed a fine weekend at the Curragh and was on the mark again when Mawanny (4/1) ran out a good winner of the Cross’ Supervalu Handicap.
The grey was produced to lead under two furlongs from home by Colin Keane and galloped on strongly in the closing stages to record a three-length success.
The victory added to a double for the pair on Saturday’s card.
“I’m delighted with him. He’s another one of David Spratt’s super purchases,” said Lyons. “He won his maiden in January and we knew we wouldn’t risk him again on that surface so we waited and waited.
“Hopefully we can rise up the ranks into a premier handicap. He’ll get a little bit further and that’s where the improvement will come from.’’
“That ground is beautiful after the rain came. A lot of the horses we ran this weekend probably wouldn’t have run without the rain.”
The rain had also come in time for Not A Whisper (13/2) who completed a treble for Pat Smullen when landing the concluding Newbridge Parishes Race Day Handicap.
Aidan Howard’s charge led over a furlong from home in the mile contest and kept on well in the closing stages to hold So Sensible by half a length for owner Margaret Miley.
“I was actually afraid coming here because of the ground as she needs a good ease in it. The rain came just in time,” said Howard. “Pat came in and was very happy, he said she is very honest. Hopefully she’s good enough to win another one.”
The line came just in time for Gopsies Daughter (16/1) in the earlier PG Duffy & Sons Citroen Handicap over five furlongs for owner W. G. Reardon.
Martin Dwyer produced the 16/1 shot to lead inside the final furlong and Denis Hogan’s charge just held on at the death for a nose victory over Palavacini Run.
“I spoke to Denis before and he said she is better over five than six,” said Dwyer. “He said that she’s got one good run towards the end and to try and use it wisely.”
Acting Stewards
N.B Wachman, M.C Hickey, T.L Crawford, A. Byrne, P.D. Matthews.
HORSE TO FOLLOW
COULD IT BE LOVE (A.P. O’Brien) A War Front half-sister to Uncle Mo, who made a significant step forward from her debut run at Navan, and should be winning soon.