Group 3 breakthrough for Duff
Having tracked Georgebernardshaw for most of the journey, Berry eased Duff into the lead soon after the two-furlong marker and, although the six-year-old idled in front and needed Berry’s urgings to keep going, he held the late surge of Dohasa and Johnny Murtagh by a neck.
Duff has proven a tremendous money-spinner for trainer Eddie Lynam, who enthused: “That was well deserved. He’s won four listed races, at three different trips. But it’s great to get a Group 3 win with him.”
Lynam added: “He has an entry in Royal Ascot next week, in the ‘Golden Jubilee’ on Saturday. We might as well go and have a go. I suppose after this, I should get the Newcastle job. I’m the only one who can get Duff to score.”
Fran Berry completed a double in the finale, the Clonard Maiden, when the John Oxx-trained Sunwise got the better of his odds-on stable-companion Pittoni (Michael Kinane) by the narrowest margin after a protracted battle, which saw the pair stretch eight lengths clear of the remainder. Berry was subsequently cautioned by the Stewards regarding his use of the whip.
Oxx, who is considering supplementing Leopardstown Guineas Trial winner Baliyana to next week’s Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot, commented: “It’s a pity having to run both colts. But there are very few mile and a half maidens for three-year-olds at the moment. I suppose a dead-heat would have kept everyone happy.”
He added: “The step-up in trip helped this horse. He likes the ground and the trip and will go handicapping now. But I think the quick ground beat Pittoni. He needs an ease and will, hopefully, have his day.”
Unlucky with Dohasa, Ger Lyons has struck earlier with Perfect Symmetry in the Irish Stallion Farms 2-Y-0 Maiden, a seventh winner of the season for owner Sean Jones.
Ridden by Keagan Latham, Lyons’ charge got home from Montecchio and Boxing Day in a finish of short-heads. Lyons stated: “I ran him too soon at Dundalk. He just wasn’t ready. So his run here the last day was like his first. He improved plenty from it and should improve again.
“He’s a good, honest colt, with a good attitude and will make a nice three-year-old. I have two horses by the sire, La Vie Dei Colori, and they’re both nice.”
The other two-year-old event, the opening fillies’ maiden, went to 14/1 shot Termagant, a debutante from Kevin Prendergast’s stable, which proved too strong for Ballydoyle debutante Cabaret.
“I would have been disappointed if she hadn’t gone close,” said Prendergast. “She’s a filly with a nice pedigree and has plenty of class. I knew she was quite useful.
“I bought her for two clients, who ended up not wanting her. So I was left with her. But I’m sure she’d make more than the €34,000 I gave, even in a recession. She’s a nice prospect and will have no problem getting a mile and quarter, or further, nest year.”
In the handicap action, Bangalor Gold, running for the third time in nine days, followed up an easy maiden win achieved at Roscommon on Sunday with a similarly smooth success in the Sandyford Handicap.
Ridden by Emmet McNamara, the David Myerscough-trained gelding coasted clear in the final furlong to beat Fisher Hill by four lengths, prompting the winning trainer to comment: “He’ had three runs in a short time and deserves a break. We might think about running him in the ‘scurries’ at the Derby meeting at the Curragh or, if that comes too soon, we’ll look at the big seven furlong handicap at Galway.”
Joanna Morgan continued her rich vein of form when eight-year-old grey Orpailleur, ridden by Pat Smullen, made virtually all to land the Kilternan Handicap at the expense of Lime Tree Valley.
Morgan explained: “He’s a grand old horse and it’s great top have him back. He jarred a joint badly at Dundalk two years ago and had a year and a half off. But he always had plenty of ability.”
Two weeks after registering his first racecourse success on board Johann Zofanny, Joseph O’Brien (16), son of Aidan, partnered Academy Blues to victory for Eoin Griffin in the Derrinstown Stud Appentice Handicap, poaching a winning lead on the home-turn before beating First Symphony by two lengths.
“Joseph gave him a decent enough ride,” said Griffin, “He did well to win from a bad draw. He’s been a disappointing horse because he always works well at home. But he loves that quick ground and will probably run again at Fairyhouse next week.”
