Causeway leads Ballydoyle treble with gutsy Naas success

Causeway gave Aidan O’Brien and Ryan Moore the feature success in Naas as Ballydoyle, combining with Accredited and Drop Dead Gorgeous for a treble

Ryan Moore and Aidan O'Brien enjoyed a treble at Naas. Pic: Healy Racing

The Ballydoyle bandwagon burst into life with a vengeance when chalking up a tremendous treble in Naas, including a gutsy success for 13/8 favourite Causeway in the Irish Racing Writers Association Madrid 3-Y-O Handicap.

In a race won three years ago by subsequent four-time Group 1 winner Paddington, Causeway had to dig deep in the closing stages but kept finding for Ryan Moore to hold off 33/1 shot Controlled by a head.

Aidan O’Brien said: “He was a little bit lazy, but was tough and should learn plenty from today. Ryan was good on him and felt he’d be very comfortable going a mile and could go further. We’ll go gentle with him and let him mature away. We’ll see how he progresses before making plans – we have other horses for the classics.” 

The Ballydoyle treble had been sparked when once-raced €1million Breeze-Up purchase Accredited (13/8) swept past front-running favourite Sindagan to take the Space Traveller At Compass Stallions Maiden in convincing style.

“He had a run in Dundalk and did well over the winter,” said O’Brien. “Ryan says he’ll have no problem going a mile and will appreciate better ground. He was only ready to come racing and should progress from today. We’ll look for a winners’ race and he’ll go a mile in stakes company.” 

O’Brien and Moore also took the fillies maiden with exciting Dubawi filly Drop Dead Gorgeous, who impressed on her belated debut, quickening past front-running stable companion White Sand Beach before the furlong pole and staying on to beat the Weld-trained newcomer Fleur De Provence by a length and a quarter.

O’Brien stated: “She’s a lovely, big quality filly. She’s still a baby and was very green. But it was nice to get her started and she’ll stay further. We’ll see where to go with her, maybe an Oaks trial.”

Joseph O’Brien also enjoyed a fruitful day, sharing a double with Declan McDonogh as Beset and Hardy Warrior obliged.

Beset, who rounded off last season with a wide-margin win in the 'Finale' at the Curragh, made all to take the listed Devoy Stakes, staying on dourly to beat stable companion Lemsairbat by three lengths.

“She’s picked up where she left off last season,” said the winning trainer, “She’s tough and enjoys that soft ground. This is her second listed win, so we’ll step into a Group race somewhere now. There are lots of options for her, including France. But the Munster Oaks, in Cork, would look an obvious target for her.” 

The Carriganog combination struck again in the three-runner finale, the TRM Nutrition Race when 107-rated Hardy Warrior, in the frame in Grade 1 and 2 company as a juvenile, made all the running to beat Take Charge Star.

“He has good form in the book, but I was worried he might need the run,” admitted O’Brien, “He likes soft ground and will step back into a group race now. He’ll go for a classic trial somewhere. And Declan says he’ll go ten furlongs.”