Sharestan grinds out listed success
Monday, June 11, 2012
Sharestan landed his first listed victory when getting the better of front-running Defining Year in the Coolmore Stud China Ireland Friendship Silver Srakes at the Curragh yesterday.
By John Ryan
Backed into 8/11 favouritism, the Aga Khan-owned Shamardal colt had to work hard under Niall McCullagh (deputising for the suspended Johnny Murtagh) to triumph by a half-length.
Arelieved trainer John Oxx commented: “The ground is testing, very gluey, out there. It was nothing spectacular — he just managed to grind it out. There’s a limit to his stamina and he won’t run again over that trip in testing ground. He’d probably be better dropping back in distance and, ideally, nine furlongs is probably his best trip.”
Oxx added: “He’s probably more versatile than I initially thought, ground-wise, but doesn’t want it heavy.
“He’s quite lightly-raced and there should be more to come from him. I think he’d be capable of running well in better company. He’ll probably come back here on Derby weekend, either for the International Stakes (a Group 3 over a mile and quarter) or a listed race over a mile (Celebratuon Stakes).”
Oxx, who confirmed Born To Sea (St .James’s Palace Stakes) and Saddler’s Rock (Ascot Gold Cup) his only Royal Ascot runners next week, completed a double when stable second-string Vedani prevailed in a blanket-finish to the Kildare Village China Race Day Maiden.
The Ben Curtis-ridden Dalakhani colt held An Saincheann by a head, prompting Oxx to comment: “He stays well and got through the ground. I thought a mile and a half and better ground would suit him. He’s just a horse and we’ll get a handicap mark before deciding where we’ll go.”
Curtis completed his own double when 2/1 favourite Ursa Major defied top-weight in the Chinese Irish Cultural Academy Handicap, the Galileo colt slamming Cropley by seven lengths.
Ursa Major is trained on the Curragh by Tommy Carmody for English owner Andrew Tinkler, who was present to enjoy the success.
Stepping-up on his debut at Dundalk, the Aidan O’Brien-trained Gale Force Ten opened his account in the opening two-year-old maiden, Joseph O’Brien’s mount wearing down flattering favourite Leitir Mor inside the final furlong to score by three-quarters of a length.
O’Brien said: “I was worried about the ground, so his performance was a pleasant surprise. We’ve always thought he was a fast horse. He’ll be in our Ascot team — he’ll run in either the Windsor Castle or Norfolk Stakes.”
Trainer Paul Deegan commented: “She’s a well-bred filly, but not overly big, and her owners have been very patient,” after greeting Alsium to the winner’s enclosure after the Irish Field Maiden.
Another winner for the n-form Chris Hayes, Alsium got the better of gambled-on favourite Cape Of Approval by a neck. Deegan added: “The ground is soft enough for her and, when got to the front, she pricked her ears. She had a nice first run in Dundalk and has sharpened up well since then. She has strengthened up in the last few weeks and is very professional in her work and racing. We’ll see how she takes this run before making plans, but she’ll stick to five or six furlongs.”
Joe Fogarty, who trains in Kilfeacle, County Tipperary, savoured his first Curragh success when Kateeva, ridden by apprentice Leigh Roche, landed the five-furlong Connolly’s Red Mills China Partnership Handicap, beating Battleroftheboyne by a half-length.
“A winner here is worth any money,” said the wining trainer, “The ground was right for her today — she has to have it soft. But it was too deep the last day in Tipperary. I hadn’t looked beyond today, but the ground will dictate plans for her.”
Having trained two seconds earlier, Jim Bolger enjoyed better luck in the concluding fillies handicap when Livia Galilei, ridden by Rory Cleary, made a successful handicap debut, outstaying older rivals Glamorous and Rising Wind..
Bolger declared: “Little fish are sweet,” before adding: “She appears to stay well and should get further. She’ll go for another handicap. We won’t get any notions, yet.”
© Irish Examiner Ltd. All rights reserved
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