All options open to impressive Indian Maharaja
The Aidan O’Brien-trained Indian Maharaja confirmed the promise of his impressive debut success at Gowran Park when justifying 30/100 favouritism in the listed Coolmore Canford Cliffs 2-Y-0 Stakes in Tipperary last night.
The son of Galileo and Irish 1,000 Guineas heroine Again, was shaken up to lead before the furlong-pole before being driven clear by Joseph O’Brien to beat Jim Bolger’s promising debutante Ceisteach by three lengths.
The winning rider was full of praise for the Ballydoyle colt, explaining: “He’s a lovely colt, still very green. He learned from his first run and learned more today. He relaxed well and, when I gave him a flick, he quickened up well before I eased him down near the finish.”
Indian Maharaja holds engagements in all of the top juvenile events over the coming months and Stan James reacted to this success by cutting him to 16/1 (from 25) for the 2014 Qipco 2,000 Guineas and to 12/1 (from 16) for the 2014 Investec Derby.
The other listed event on the card, the five-furlong Abergwaun Stakes provided Russian Soul, trained by Michael Halford, with a deserved stakes breakthrough and only his second success on turf.
Ridden by Shane Foley, he came from off the pace to lead inside the final furlong before holding the persistent challenge of Timeless Call by a neck.
His rider said: “That was truly deserved. He’s bumped into some very smart horses. We’ll see how he is on Sunday morning before deciding if he’ll run in the Phoenix Sprint at the Curragh.”
Pat Smullen, in double form at Leopardstown on Thursday, followed-up with another brace, on two-year-old fillies Hurryupharriet and Ballybacka Queen.
Runner-up in a listed event on her last visit to Tipperary, Hurryupharriet landed the opening McGrath Oil Maiden over five furlongs, prompting trainer Willie McCreery to say: “She’s an out and out five furlong filly. Pat kept it simple — he let her bowl along.
“She’ll probably head for the Curragh in a couple of weeks for a listed race (the Irish Field Curragh Stakes on August 24).”
Smullen followed-up when Pat Fahy’s Ballybacka Queen, no match for the classy Tarfasha in Galway, got the better of Chicago Girl by a neck in the fillies maiden.
Her trainer said: “It wasn’t ideal to run again so soon after Galway. But she did it well and Pat said he was always confident. She’ll have one more run- in a listed race, before being put away for next year.”
Local trainer Andy Slattery confirmed that a trip to Ayr, for either the Gold Cup or Silver Cup, is the target for An Saighdiur after he completed back-to-back wins in the five-furlong Follow Tipperary On Facebook Handicap.
Ridden by Billy Lee, the tough six-year-old prevailed by a neck from Judies Child with My Good Brother a close and fast-finishing third and is unlikely to fulfil his engagement in the Group 3 Phoenix Sprint Stakes at the Curragh tomorrow.
Apprentice Ian Queally, (17), from Fanore, County Clare, rode his first winner when top-weight Mamma Rosa, trained by his boss Pat Flynn, held the late challenge of Maal in the Costello’s Tavern Apprentice Handicap.
Jane Mangan’s strength on Arthur Moore’s Positive Vibes (controversially disqualified at Killarney last time) proved crucial in the concluding ladies race,getting up close home to foil the front-running All About Alfie.
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