CHRIS Hayes produced a riding master class worthy of any stage as he conjured up something of a minor miracle to get Panama Hat home in front in the Listed Lenebane Stakes.
A winner of a handicap off a mark of 70 on this card last year, the 108-rated Panama Hat lined-up as one of the foremost contenders for the track’s biggest flat race of the year.
However, the four-year-old didn’t appear to enjoy the first time blinkers and his cause looked forlorn as Hayes niggled him along at the rear for most of the mile and a half contest.
To his credit Panama Hat (5/1) raised his game when it mattered most. He was last turning into the straight but then launched a forward charge with well over a furlong to run.
The Team Valor-owned winner still had plenty on at this stage but he scythed his way through the pack to lead inside the distance before maintaining his relentless charge to defeat Altesse by a length with Toe The Line finishing a further two lengths back.
“He disappointed us in the Curragh Cup so we decided that we’d change tactics but he just didn’t seem to face the blinkers,” said Andy Oliver. “Chris was having to stoke him along all the way. Chris is a thorough professional and knows the horse and didn’t panic and got him rolling in the straight and all credit to him. It was a great ride.”
The card concluded with a striking display from the John Oxx newcomer Affinisea (9/4) in the At The Races Maiden over a mile and a half. At one time the highest-priced foal ever sold in Ireland at €850,000, this Sea The Stars colt was making a belated racecourse debut at the age of four.
However, the Sunderland Holding Inc-owned colt could be set to reward the considerable patience of his connections. The half-brother to Soldier Of Fortune quickened up in the style of a quality sort to take control of this race with over a furlong to run and he was a resounding five lengths winner for Declan McDonogh. His next start is eagerly awaited.
“He’d been injured for a long time and didn’t do anything at two and it was only really last autumn that we began to train him,” stated Oxx. “We were afraid of running him on firm ground so the shower that fell earlier was a help. This was his first time on grass and we won’t be in a rush with him as he could be a nice horse to have next year. He’ll probably get an entry in the mile and six winners’ race on the Friday of Galway.”
The 80-rated Monolight, who had reached the frame on his first three outings, got his turn in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden. This 10 furlongs contest got off to a somewhat chaotic start when Torrey Pines ran off the first bend and this in turn caused a number of the runners to go wide and nothing was carried further out than the Shane Foley-ridden winner. However, most of the runners got back on an even keel and, in the closing stages, Monolight saw off the favourite Van Schiack by a head.
“He’s very idle and he makes life hard for himself,” reflected Halford of the Godolphin-owned colt. “When he last ran at the Curragh the ground was probably a shade fast for him but it was perfect for him tonight. This looks a good trip for him and he will go handicapping.”
Although they were just touched off with Van Schiack Ger Lyons, Colin Keane and Sean Jones did strike with Azzuri in the mile and a half Roscommon Herald Handicap.
As he looked to add to the maiden success he recorded here in May, the well-backed 9/2 chance moved to the head of the field with over a furlong to run and he held on resolutely from Buzz Off Barroso.
“The rain came in time, the ground was probably just too quick for him at Down Royal last time,” declared Lyons. “He’s very genuine and that was a good effort off top-weight. He’ll make a nice jumper.”
A step up to seven furlongs worked the oracle for Antelope Canyon who showed marked progress on his first two outings to take the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden.
The Aidan O’Brien-trained son of Fastnet Rock, in the Sue Magnier colours, who was wearing cheek pieces for the first time, made a good deal of the running and he had his rivals at full stretch turning for home.
Caribbean Spring, and Waipu Cove both threatened at various stages and Escondida mounted a menacing late bid but Joseph O’Brien pulled out plenty in the closing stages to prevail by three-parts of a length.
Just three days before she was due to go under the hammer at the July Sale, Jim Bolger’s Cruidin picked up a timely first victory in the Property Partners Earley Auctioneers Fillies Handicap.
The Jackie Bolger-owned filly was looking to build on a second to Almadaa at Gowran the previous week and was travelling notably well in fourth as the leaders entered the last quarter of a mile. The 7/2 chance then got to the front a furlong from home and Manning never got too animated for her to defeat the favourite Perfect Fit by two lengths.
The in foal Versilia Gal (3/1) gave Pat Martin his fourth winner from his last 11 runners in the Supervalu’s Roscommon Apprentice Handicap over seven furlongs. The Tom Brennan-owned mare, who hadn’t won for two years and had dropped 19lb in the ratings, looked set for a minor role heading into the last furlong.
Ross Coakley conjured a sustained bid from his mount though and the five-year-old got to the front in the final yards to consign the luckless Sofi’s Spirit to another runner-up finish.
“That Ross’s first winner for me. He’s ridden a few placed ones and I’m delighted that he’s won on her. He’s riding with confidence and is a young man going places,” declared Martin. “She’s in foal to Dandy Man and has another two months left and she might now go to Killarney next week.”
Saddle slipped
Shane Foley, who rode the favourite Haraz, reported that his saddle slipped within the first furlong and a half of the two-year-old maiden in which his mount finished last.
King banned
Connor King picked up a one-day whip ban after partnering Sofi’s Spirit into second in the apprentice handicap.
ACTING STEWARDS
T. McDonagh, Mrs. R. Ross, D. Pugh, J. O’Shaughnessy, S. Quinn
HORSE TO FOLLOW
WAIPU COVE (G.M. Lyons): This colt ran quite well to take third in the maiden won by Antelope Canyon. This was his first outing of the season so he is now eligible for nurseries and he could be quite interesting if his attentions are turned to that sphere.