AFTER giving every indication over the course of last season that she could develop into a sprinter of real substance in 2016, Fort Del Oro began her four-year-old campaign in style in the Listed Woodlands Stakes.
The Ballylinch Stud-owned daughter of Lope De Vega was dropping back to five furlongs for the first time in her career which was absolutely no trouble to the 13/8 favourite whose jockey Billy Lee exuded considerable confidence at all stages.
When she was asked to raise her effort nearing the last furlong Fort Del Oro responded well and picked off the English raider Monsieur Joe to run out a ready one-length winner. The trail-blazing Abstraction was a further half length back in third.
“She’s a six furlongs filly but she handled this trip well,” said Eddie Lynam. “It was a good, professional performance and I think she’s very talented. She’s loads of options between the Duke Of York, the Ballyogan and the Greenlands Stakes.”
LYONS JUVENILE
For the second year in succession the first six-furlong race of the season for juveniles fell to Ger Lyons who could have a lot to look forward to with Psychedelic Funk (7/2).
The Sean Jones-owned son of Choisir, who was following in the footsteps of the classy Argentero, was making his debut and produced an excellent display. Colin Keane had to niggle his mount along at halfway and the response he got was impressive. Psychedelic Funk cut down the odds-on Bean Feasa (a half-sister to Teofilo) for a snug half length triumph. This pair finished half a dozen lengths ahead of the remainder.
“That was a nice start and we like him,” reflected Lyons. “If he’s the real deal the Coventry is what we’d be aiming for and the plan would be to get a nice trial in between. A winners’ race would be lovely for him.”
Lyons and Colin Keane were also on the mark with a smart looking type in the well-backed Elusive Heights (7/2) who made a winning debut in the Join Tote Rewards Median Auction Maiden over a mile.
The Anamoine Ltd-owned newcomer looked quite green and didn’t enjoy the smoothest of runs at one point in the straight but he picked up with some purpose when it mattered.
Freeman quickened up well to take charge of the race nearing the last furlong but Elusive Heights, a son of his trainer’s classy racemare Berg Bahn, collared him in the closing strides.
“The dam was very good and he’s a scopier horse with more to him. He was doing things right at home and it’s nice when they do it on the track,” declared Lyons.
Another intriguing two-year-old contest was the EBF-sponsored fillies’ maiden where the Ballydoyle newcomer Roly Poly (10/1) edged out fellow first timer Gone To Russia.
A daughter of her trainer’s multiple Group 1 heroine Misty For Me, the War Front filly was produced by Seamie Heffernan to make her bid inside the last furlong. Gone To Russia launched her effort at the same time and a bobbing finish ensued which went Roly Poly’s way by a short-head.
“She was very green and was just ready to come racing,” remarked Aidan O’Brien. “She could be a filly for Royal Ascot but we’ll find something else before then and a race like the fillies’ listed race back here could suit.”
HARRINGTON AGAIN
Jessica Harrington and Colm O’Donoghue enjoyed a terrific run in the lead up to Punchestown and the pair made it five wins in three days with a double supplied by two horses sporting the colours of the Carmichael Jennings Partnership.
The brace began when St Brelades Bay (12/1), whose owners have raced the likes of Ivawood in Britain, landed the Tote-sponsored six-furlong handicap.
As he looked for his first victory since coming to Ireland, the Camacho four-year-old was in the front rank before halfway. Approaching the last furlong the St Brelades Bay dealt with Mr Right and he then had enough in reserve to contain the late charge of Fast In The Wind.
“I think the ground may just have been a bit soft for him at the Curragh last time and he also didn’t like being in behind horses but Colm had him handy today and made up his mind for him,” stated Mrs Harrington.
The double was completed by Marshall Jennings (8/1) in the Tote Quick Pick Now Available Handicap over a mile. Heavy ground meant that this four-year-old had missed two intended engagements already this season but this decent ground gave him a first win since Epsom in August 2014.
Marshall Jennings was travelling notably well inside the last quarter of a mile and then knuckled down well for pressure to fend off Saturday’s Limerick scorer Canary Row by a head.
“He was threatening to do that last year but things just didn’t go right for him. He doesn’t want it really, really soft,” reported the trainer.
As well as landing the night’s feature, Eddie Lynam also sent out the strongly supported Louis Leroy (15/8) who made it two course and distance wins under a cool Oisin Orr in the six-furlong Tote-sponsored apprentice handicap.
The relatively lightly-raced four-year-old had most of the field to pass nearing the last couple of furlongs but soon began to scythe through the pack and struck the front.
At the line Louis Leroy had three-quarters of a length to spare over Shinyhappyjohn and, in making it two wins from three handicaps outings, he could just be a sprinter to follow.
“He got a good ride from Oisin who is a good, young rider and he took his time there,” commented Eddie Lynam, who trains the gelding for long-time patron Trevor Dalzell.
Credit The Giver (4/1) bagged a deserved first success as he defied top weight in the 47-65 rated handicap over a mile. On just the 10th outing of his career the Donnacha O’Brien-ridden gelding got a dream run through on the rail to take command of this race early in the last furlong. At the line the 4/1 chance had three and a quarter lengths to spare over Fast On.
“He needs cover and got a bit of luck today, I’m not sure he’ll get that sort of run every day,” stated Joseph O’Brien whose mother, Annemarie, owns the winner.
Whip ban
KILLIAN Leonard was given a three-day ban for his efforts on Fast In The Wind who took second behind St Brelades Bay.
Acting Stewards
N.B. Wachman, P.N. Reynolds, R. Hall, Ms. L. Reynolds, P.D. Matthews
HORSE TO FOLLOW
BEAN FEASA (J.S. Bolger): This Dubawi filly posted a fine effort on her debut to take second in the six-furlong maiden. She finished some way clear of the remainder and should improve.