IT is 15 years since Refuse To Bend completed the Ballylinch Stud 2000 Guineas Trial Stakes–2000 Guineas double and Gustav Klimt could be poised to follow suit as he made a fine return to competitive action for Aidan O’Brien and the Coolmore partners.
On his first start since he somehow pulled victory out of fire in the Group 2 Superlative Stakes last July, Gustav Klimt (6/4) thrust himself to the forefront of his trainer’s Guineas hopefuls with this defeat of the promising Imaging.
Only four runners went to post for this race, which was run over seven furlongs for the first time since 1993, and the Ryan Moore-ridden Gustav Klimt settled at the rear of the field.
He picked up well to move closer inside the last quarter of a mile but had work to do when Imaging struck for home nearing the last furlong. To his credit, Gustav Klimt reeled in the leader to prevail by one and three-quarter lengths, with the front pair finishing 11 lengths clear of the pace-setting Kenya.
“The ground wasn’t ideal but we’re very happy with that. He’d been off a long time and it’s good to get him started,” declared O’Brien. “Ryan was very happy with him and he was pleased with how he quickened up on the ground as he is a real good ground horse. The plan is to head Newmarket now.”
VICTORY
A good day for the O’Brien three-year-olds also saw Nelson give the trainer an eighth victory in the Group 3 P.W. McGrath Memorial Ballysax Stakes. A Group 3 winner last season and also a runner-up in the Royal Lodge Stakes, the Frankel colt was among a trio of Ballydoyle challengers for this four-runner affair.
Nelson was sent straight into the lead by Donnacha O’Brien and by the time he turned for home he had only Delano Roosevelt to worry about.
The latter threw down a strong challenge, which looked as though it might carry him past nearing the last furlong, but Nelson (7/4) found that bit extra late on. The half-brother to the 2016 Derby second US Army Ranger carried the day by half a length.
There was eight and a half lengths back to the favourite and Racing Post Trophy third The Pentagon.
“It’s tough going out there but you’d be delighted with the first two. Donnacha felt his horse got the trip very well and Seamie (Delano Roosevelt) felt his horse got a bit lonely when he got there,” said O’Brien. “The Pentagon wants really nice ground and he should come on tonnes from this. I’d say all three will be back here for the Derrinstown Derby Trial next month.”
Ger Lyons and Colin Keane have continued where they left off in 2017 by making an outstanding start to the new campaign and they made it two Group 3 triumphs in as many days with Who’s Steph in the Ballylinch Stud ‘Priory Belle’ 1000 Guineas Trial Stakes. In a race that has produced a trio of 1000 Guineas winners in recent years, Who’s Steph was stepping up markedly in class from the Naas maiden that she won on her second and final start last October.
The rise in class was of absolutely no concern to the Sean Jones-owned daughter of Zoffany who travelled strongly in the front rank for Colin Keane. The 10/1 chance – the longest priced winner of this race for a decade – still had to come off the bridle entering the last two furlongs, at which point she began to edge away from her rivals. Yulong Gold Fairy threatened inside the distance but a relentless Who’s Steph finished with a length and a half to spare. I Can Fly showed up well to secure third, a further half-length back.
“The second entry stage for the Irish 1000 Guineas was last Wednesday and we decided to leave it, so she has no big race entries,” commented Lyons. “She done that well and gone through the ground well and she wants all of a mile. I’d say there’s every chance that she could be back here next month for the Derrinstown Stud 1000 Guineas Trial Stakes.”
Lyons and Keane landed the three-year-old mile maiden with the newcomer Future Proof. This son of Dream Ahead, who is owned by the trainer’s wife Lynne and John Cullinan, was a well-backed 5/2 chance and he got an opening nearing the final furlong to deliver a challenge that carried him to a length and a quarter victory over the staying-on newcomer Comeragh Hayes.
“That was a nice performance. He roared and shouted his head off in the preliminaries but Colin said he manned up the minute he sat up on him. I’d expect that there is plenty of improvement in him,” remarked Lyons.
TALENTED
A step up to Group 3 level is on the cards for the talented Xenobia (9/2) who made short work of her five rivals in the Foxrock Cup Handicap. The sparingly campaigned four-year-old was making just the sixth appearance of her career and she won with some authority. The Chris Hayes-ridden daughter of Falco dished out a two and three-quarter-length beating to Knowing You.
“She’s decent and I always felt that she’d be a nicer filly at four. In fairness to the owner, Paolo Neri, he has been very patient with her,” reflected Bill Farrell. “I think she will come on massively for that run and hopefully she will head next for the Group 3 Athasi Stakes at Naas next month.”
A long overdue second success came No Way Jack’s way in the 45-70 rated mile handicap. Some two and a half year sand 34 runs since his last triumph, the six-year-old was backed from 12/1 into 5/1 on course and he rewarded his supporters with a gritty success under Killian Leonard.
No Way Jack led around a furlong from home and held on grimly to defeat the oncoming Prosecution by a head.
“Over the last month and a half we’ve felt that he’s been a different horse at home. He’s always shown us plenty and his resolution has been questioned in the past but he battled well today,” stated Martin of the Derek Molloy-owned gelding.
SUCCESS
Jim Bolger registered his first win of the season as Cimeara captured the 10-furlong TRI Equestrian Handicap. The 14/1 outsider of the five runners looked booked for a minor role when Crecerelle asserted entering the last furlong but she kept on splendidly for Kevin Manning to force her way to the front in the final yards.
The Jackie Bolger-owned daughter of Vocalised prevailed by half a length, but odds-on Christopher Robin finished last.
“She’s tough, she’s got everything you’d want in a racehorse. We’ll just see what the handicapper makes of her now. She’d find things easier over a mile and a half,” observed Bolger.
US Navy plans
ALTHOUGH U S Navy Flag finished at the rear of the field in the 2000 Guineas Trial, Aidan O’Brien reported that the dual Group 1 winner remains on course for a crack at either the 2000 Guineas or Poule d’Essai des Poulains.
Meanwhile, Kenya is likely to move up in distance for his next outing.
ACTING STEWARDS
T. Hunt, N.B. Wachman, P. Reynolds, T. Breen, P.D. Matthews
Horse To Follow
CRECERELLE (D.K. Weld): He began his season with an encouraging second in the handicap won by Cimeara where he looked a likely winner entering the last furlong. He should progress from this and a first success may not be long in coming his way.