Ouija sweeps the Board to complete double
In doing so she gave Kieren Fallon his second success in an Irish classic, the first coming on Ramruma for Henry Cecil, also in the Oaks, in ’99.
The daughter of Cape Cross is trained by Ed Dunlop, who saddled the first two in this race three years ago with Lailani and Mot Juste.
After the Ballydoyle pair, Royal Tigress and All Too Beautiful, had led in turn for the first half mile, Jim Bolger’s Danelissima quickly established a clear advantage.
But she was gone early in the straight, as All Too Beautiful edged on.
All Too Beautiful stopped to a walk in a few strides and passing under the two furlong pole Punctilious went for glory.
Fallon, however, had that well covered and Ouija Board soon quickened into the lead. The contest was over in a matter of strides and though Punctilious did rally, the winner crossed the line with plenty in hand.
Said Fallon: “I was always confident. The pace was a bit stop-start and the race a bit messy.
“She has become laid-back, but once I got a clear run she showed a tremendous turn of foot.
“The Curragh is one of my favourite places. It brings back memories of when I was with Kevin (Prendergast), where I learned everything.”
Dunlop outlined three possible future challenges for his brilliant filly, the Juddmonte at York, the Yorkshire Oaks and the ’Arc.
“We won’t be making any rash decisions today, we will take her home and decide”, said Dunlop.
“This is a relief, a great day. Coming back in trip might be interesting!”
Punctilious ran a game race, while Hazarista came from last to claim a highly creditable third placing.
All Too Beautiful was most disappointing in fourth, but Marinnette looks set for a fair hike in the weights after filling fifth spot.
The superb Jim Bolger trained Tropical Lady made it five wins, in as many runs, for the campaign when producing her now customary turn of foot to cut down the opposition late in the Kilboy Estate Stakes.
She had to weave her way through, from the back of the field, to grab Noahs Ark in the last hundred yards.
Tropical Lady did hang towards the fair rails close home, causing minor interference to the runner-up, but the stewards were never going to reverse the placings.
Said Bolger: “We will step her up to ten furlongs next time. We will see how she is, but you won’t have to wait long.”
Bolger indicated that a Group One, over ten furlongs, at Longchamp on ’Arc weekend is also very much part of the plan.
Livadiya was withdrawn from this contest after rider, Johnny Murtagh, was dislodged and received a kick on the way to the start. Murtagh was stood down for the rest of the day.
“It’s a bit better than yesterday”, quipped Aidan O’Brien, after he had just watched Oratorio and Cougar Cat fill the first two places for Ballydoyle in the Dubai Duty Free Anglesey Stakes.
O’Brien had a disastrous Saturday, but it is hard to keep a good man down and he roared back in typical fashion.
Oratorio, on the pace throughout for Seamus Heffernan, went for glory two furlongs out and held on well close home to beat his stable companion by a length.
“Our two horses were very green going to Royal Ascot and came on a lot at home”, reported O’Brien. “Hopefully, they will both be back here for the Heinz.”
Gamble of the contest was David Wachman’s Indesatchel, backed from 3-1 to 2-1 favourite. He could only stay on one-paced to fill third spot.
O’Brien was on the mark again, this time with Jamie Spencer aboard, when his imposing newcomer, the Danehill colt Carnegie Hall, took the Jumeriah International Maiden.
A big drifter in the market, Carnegie Hall made just about all the running, shrugging off the persistent challenge of John Oxx’s promising first-timer, Laudable.
This looked a very smart race of its type and will surely produce a number of future success-stories!
Commented O’Brien: “He’s a grand horse and we will now look for a stakes race.”
Trade Fair, outclassed behind Arakan at Newmarket previously, found the opposition to his liking in the Emirates Airline Minstrel Stakes.
The heavily-backed son of Zafonic had this field covered from a fair way out, lengthening into the lead at the furlong pole to beat One More Round cosily.
Said trainer, Roger Charlton: “He has taken his time finding form this season, but has been working well recently.
“He is now ready to run in better races and may go for a Group Two at Goodwood next.”
Pauline Ryan (24) has been with John Oxx for some five years and she rode her second winner when Balyan found a fine turn of foot to touch off market leader, Moy Joy, in the Thalgo Ladies Derby Handicap.
Moy Joy looked all over a winner when shooting into the lead with well over a furlong to run, but Balyan swooped to grab the lead in the dying strides.
Said Oxx: “He’s a smart horse, but seemed to have a high rating of 92 for winning a country maiden at Ballinrobe.
“He will now go for a mile and a half handicap at Galway on the Friday night of the Festival.”
Cathy Gannon continued her excellent run when pushing Lock And Key ahead at the furlong pole to beat Gouache in the Nursery.
