Damson outclasses opposition
Confidently handled by the season’s leading rider Jamie Spencer, the daughter of Entrepreneur quickened in impressive style to see off the challenge of favourite Pictavia in the style of a high class prospect.
Winning trainer Wachman has a number of smart juveniles in his care and explained: “Damson is a very nice filly but I think she deserves a short break. She will not be going to Royal Ascot but I hope to win a Group race with her later in the season.”
Pictavia, trained by Jim Bolger, ran a solid race but could not match the winner’s speed and should appreciate a return to seven furlongs or a mile.
Earlier Osterhase, trained by John Mulhern and ridden by Fran Berry, landed the other listed race on the card, the Naas Sprint Stake when foiling British raider Benbaun.
This pair dominated the five furlongs dash and, after a terrific tussle, Berry’s mount prevailed by the narrowest margin.
The winner, a speedy and tough five-year-old, will now be aimed at the 100,000 King of Beers Stakes, the five furlong listed event which opens the Curragh card on Budweiser Irish Derby day.
Jamie Spencer increased his lead in the race for the Jockeys Championship when completing a double on Solskjaer in the concluding Bill Whitehead Memorial Race.
Solskjaer is trained by Aidan O’Brien for his wife Anne-Marie and was having only his second career start, having finished down the field in last year’s Irish 2000 Guineas.
Out of luck with Pictavia, Jim Bolger and Kevin Manning were on the mark for Maktoum Al Maktoum when Silver Silence recorded a facile win in the Ladies Fashion Competition Maiden.
Bolger explained that this son of Sunday Silence was very raw before his debut at the Curragh but has progressed well and he intends stepping him up to a mile and a half next time.
Trainer Peter Casey is enjoying a tremendous run of success and saddled his fifth winner in two weeks when Blessyourpinksox, ridden by Seamus Heffernan, proved successful in the opening Irish Stallion Farms Fillies Handicap. Casey now intends aiming Basil Brindley’s filly at the Ulster Oaks at Down Royal later this month.
