Bolger in no doubt of Aquam’s class
Successful on his recent debut at the Curragh, Sanus Per Aquam, a half-brother to Morning Mix (which will contest next Thursday’s Challenge Stakes at Leopardstown) swept past front-running stable-companion Gleine early in the straight before stretching clear in great style to slam the Aidan O’Brien-trained Port Douglas, an uneasy favourite, by four and three-quarter lengths.
Winning trainer Jim Bolger was full of praise for his son of Teofilio: “He’s the old fellow reincarnated. He does everything he did and does it the same way, but he’s two weeks earlier.”
And he added: “I didn’t do anything with him since the Curragh and took him on trust. I would have liked another week or ten days with him, but this was the only suitable opportunity for him. He could go anywhere and will probably run next in the Futurity at the Curragh.”
The Coolcullen double was completed when 101-rated Stellar Glow, already placed in listed and Group 3 company and tackling a mile and a half for the first time, justified 8/13 favouritism in the Irish Stallion Farms Fillies Maiden, travelling sweetly before having to battle to get the better of On A Pedestal by a neck.
“She was always going to win one – we just had to wait a while,” commented Bolger. “I think there’s a big day in her. So we must try to fish it out before her career is over. She’ll go somewhere big later in the season. But we’ll try to find a handy listed race first.”
Trainer Michael Halford stated: “Conor rides well and has a cool head – he’s good value for his 7lb. claim,” after Conor McGovern partnered Rummaging to a gutsy win, under top-weight, in the three-runner Live At Leopardstown Handicap, from which his fellow joint-favourite was withdrawn, having refused to enter the stalls.
“Rummaging has been a terrific servant and this is his first win over a mile. It was worth a try and he seemed to hit the line well.”
The John Oxx-trained Cailini Alainn won the Hermitage Green Handicap under Declan McDonogh, getting the better of Askmour by a half-length and prompting her trainer to comment: “She ran badly a couple of times in heavy ground, but she ran well last time. Conditions were right tonight and she won nicely. We have the Ladies Derby in mind for her (next week at the Curragh).”
Conor Hoban registered his 100th winner in Ireland when 20/1 shot High Kicker captured the Discover Ireland Dublin Horse Show Handicap for trainer Peter Fahey.
Running on the flat for the first time, the ‘Shark’ Hanlon-trained ten-year-old Hidden Cyclone, a 157-rated chaser, had the perfect warm-up for the Guinness Galway Hurdle when coasting to an effortless victory in the finale, the Leopardstown Club Membership Maiden.
