A RESURGENT Moonlight Magic showed just what he is capable of at his best as he turned over the odds-on Deauville after the pair served up an enthralling finale to the Group 3 ICON Meld Stakes.
Jim Bolger’s charge came into this nine-furlong event looking to record his first win since last year’s Derrinstown Derby Trial and he faced a stiff task against the 119-rated Deauville. To his credit, the relation to Sea The Stars and Galileo returned to the peak of his powers on the rain-softened ground to show that he can be a major force at pattern level through the second half of the season.
Deauville, on his last start before he tackles next month’s Arlington Million, set off in front and he was still going nicely turning for home. He could never quite shake off a determined Moonlight Magic though and the Godolphin-owned colt inched steadily closer over the last quarter of a mile.
Deauville clung on gamely in the last furlong but he couldn’t withstand Moonlight Magic and Kevin Manning who forced their way past in the closing stages to score by a head. Tennessee Wildcat took third, with Brendan Brackan in fourth and The Grey Gatsby finished at the rear of the field.
“He was in really good form coming into this and we’ve had a good run with him over the last few weeks which was a help,” said Bolger. “He’s run lots of good races apart from the Derby last year when he didn’t handle the track and may not have been at the top of his game either. He’s getting back there now and hopefully there’s a better race in him before the end of the season. The Royal Whip could be a possible for him.”
SUSTAINED CHARGE
After his near miss in the night’s feature Aidan O’Brien struck with Wild Irish Rose, who stepped out of handicap company to claim the Listed Irish Stallion Farms EBF Stanerra Stakes. A cool and masterful Seamie Heffernan had his mount looking on from second last as the field turned for home and it was at this point that he swung wide to unleash the three-year-old filly with a sustained charge.
The 7/4 favourite, who had been ridden by Ana O’Brien on her nine previous starts, responded in fine style to cut down Wingingit deep inside the last furlong for a half length triumph.
“On her second last run Ana said that she doesn’t like getting hit and Ana didn’t hit her when she won last time,” stated O’Brien. “Seamie gave her a peach of a ride but you could see when he gave her one flick she reacted. She’s coming along nicely now and stays well so something like the Park Hill Stakes at Doncaster could be an option for her.”
O’Brien and Heffernan were also on the mark with Battle Of Jericho who further advertised the worth of the maiden won by Lethal Steps here last month, in which the War Front colt finished third. Battle Of Jericho was the 4/5 favourite for the six-furlong Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden and his supporters seldom had a moment’s worry as he made all and asserted in good style early in the straight. The newcomer Man Power cut into the leader’s advantage in the closing stages but was still a length adrift at the line.
“He came here off two good runs. I had a good draw today and he won well. He was just idling in the closing stages and he’s a colt with plenty of ability,” said the successful jockey.
Mattymolls Gaga (7/2), who finished a couple of places behind Battle Of Jericho in the Lethal Steps maiden, turned in a nice effort from the front in the seven-furlong Irish Stallion Farms EBF Median Auction Maiden. The Jessica Harrington-trained and Colm O’Donoghue-ridden son of Dragon Pulse looked to be in control for the duration of the straight and held the staying on The Broghie Man by three-parts of a length.
The winner is owned by the Arion Racing Club and Andrew and Gemma Brown.
“He improved from his first run and handled the little cut in the ground. Jessie thought that he’d be hard to beat today and he’s got a gear. Mentally and physically he can only improve,” remarked the rider.
Hunaina (6/1) made her first try over seven furlongs a winning one in the three-year-old handicap where she was yet another to employ frontrunning tactics successfully.
The Aga Khan-owned filly set a tempo to suit herself under Pat Smullen and when she quickened up inside the last couple of furlongs she had her rivals in some difficulty, including the previous week’s maiden winner Fior Cliste who went down by three-parts of a length.
“She’s consistent and Pat felt beforehand that there wasn’t going to be much pace so he said he might let her roll along,” declared Michael Halford. “She was second over six furlongs last time and Conor Hoban rode her that day and said that she would be worth stepping up in trip.”
Richard O’Brien’s impressive start to his training career continued apace as Tom Dooley (5/1) followed-up his victory at Roscommon the previous week. A seventh winner from O’Brien’s four-horse string, Tom Dooley set off in front and none of his rivals were able to land a telling blow. The Sean Davis-ridden six-year-old kept on well in the straight to defeat Leopardstown specialist Korbous by a length and a half.
“Sean gave him a peach of a ride. He felt there wasn’t much pace so he let him stride on. I’d love to see him on quick ground as I think there could be more to come from him on that ground,” said O’Brien.
“This horse is loving his racing and he might now go to Down Royal on Friday. His owner Michael Kearney, who is based in Dubai but is back home at the moment, sent him to me in May and I’m delighted for him.”
Joseph O’Brien followed-up his treble at Killarney by sending out Lord Justice (3/1) to take the Manguard Plus Handicap over a mile and five furlongs. A dual winner over hurdles, Lord Justice wore down Black Label in the straight going on to score by a length. Donnacha O’Brien rode the winner for the Annus Mirabilis Racing Syndicate.
Acting Stewards
T. Hunt, C.P. Magnier, J. Weld, J.R. Craigie, L. Walsh
Horse To Follow
MAN POWER (M.D. O’Callaghan): This colt ran with substantial promise on his debut to take second in the maiden won by Battle Of Jericho and his turn shouldn’t be long in coming.