O'Brien unfazed by High Chaparral coughing
O’Brien isn’t unduly worried, however, about the well-being of the dual Derby winner, as he revealed at Cork yesterday.
“He’s coughing, but, in any case, is having an easy time of it at the moment’’, said O’Brien.
The son of Sadler’s Wells is enjoying a break, before the big build-up to possible ’Arc glory at Longchamp begins. O’Brien was speaking following a spectacular debut by his Reach For The Moon, a $1.6m Keeneland purchase in July, had streaked away with the Fermoy Fillies Maiden.
She was Michael Kinane’s only mount of the day and could be mapped as the likely winner a long way from home. The daughter of Pulpit was cantering all over her rivals approaching the final furlong and Kinane only had to let out an inch of rein to see her ease four lengths clear of the relatively experienced Spring Clean.
“She will be stepped up to stakes class now’’, said O’Brien. “She could go for the Debutante at the Curragh next weekend, although that may come too soon.’’
John Oxx’s Dolce Vita found the level of opposition to her liking, in the Beech Median Auction Maiden, and duly justified odds-on favouritism.
Johnny Murtagh eased her into the lead with less than two furlongs to go, but had to keep her right up to her work in the closing stages to hold Vanity Jane by half a length.
Jimmy O’Neill, assistant trainer, represented Oxx, and he indicated the daughter of Ela-Mana-Mou would now be campaigned in mile and a half handicaps
Curragh handler Gerry Stack was on the mark with After Shock in the Doneraile Handicap, initiating a double for Murtagh. She ran fast throughout, shooting away from Soaring Eagle from the furlong pole.
Jamie Codd was seen to advantage when driving Ceannairceach to victory in the Shreelawn Oil Handicap Chase.
The winner was in front heading to the second last, but was all out to hold The Hen Hut in the closing stages.
The verdict was just a neck and The Hen Hut was a trifle unlucky, considering he was none too clever at that penultimate obstacle.
Tom Hogan’s Wensum Dancer landed a little touch in the Walsh Engineering Handicap. Partnered with confidence by Colm O’Donoghue, Wensum Dancer, 12-1 to 8’s, surged to the front just under two furlongs down to score unextended by eight lengths.
Shane Gorey, who is attached to the Dermot Weld yard, rode his first winner aboard Feelin’ Looser in the Mallow Handicap.
The 17-year-old, having only his third ride, brought Feelin’ Looser with a sweeping challenge to lead inside the furlong pole and then hold the late rush of Miskilette.
Michael Hourigan, fresh from a splendid Galway, was on the mark again when Cool Dante won the Bumper.
Easy in the market, Cool Dante got the better of a short, sharp tussle with Zarenas Treasure at the two furlong pole to quickly go clear in the hands of the capable Richard Harding.
