Akdarena sparks Oaks dream after runaway win
A battling winner last time in Navan, the Hernando filly dictated the pace under stable-jockey Kevin Manning and, turning for home, had her eight rivals in trouble. Staying on strongly up the hill, she powered clear to beat Indiana Gal by seven lengths with Grace O’Malley third.
“No decision will be made tonight,” stated winning trainer Bolger when asked if Akdarena would go for the Investec Oaks at Epsom, “But she’s definitely in the mix.”
Bolger explained: “She doesn’t do anything at home. She just canters every day. She seemed in very good form. But on that performance, she has improved a lot since her win in Navan. It’s not often you see a Group race decided at halfway.”
And, when asked about plans for the filly, he said: “The next day will be her big day,” refusing to confirm whether Akdarena will be aimed at the English or Irish Oaks.
Bolger and Manning had started the meeting on a high, when twice-placed Radharcnafarraige swooped late to catch Eastern Light in the Irish Stallion Farms 2-Y-0 Fillies Maiden, giving the Coolcullen stable its fourth win in this event in six years.
“She’ll probably come back here for the Coolmore Stud Sprint Stakes next month,” said Bolger. “But, in time, the further she goes, the better she’ll be. Kevin said it was a very good race and I think she’s up there with other fillies that have won this race.”
The Aidan O’Brien-trained Zoffany, smooth scorer on his debut at Leopardstown, again impressed when following-up in the Fishery Lane 2-Y-0 Race.
The strapping son of Dansili, confidently ridden by Johnny Murtagh, quickened up impressively approaching the furlong-pole to head front-running Scriobhai and ran on strongly to triumph by three and a half lengths.
“He’s a very nice horse,” was Murtagh’s brief summing-up of the performance and, while Aidan O’Brien was not present, Zoffany looks likely to head for Royal Ascot’s Coventry Stakes.
Murtagh completed a quick double when the Charles O’Brien-trained Bewitched travelled strongly throughout the six-furlong Naas Racecourse Handicap before beating Mujaazef readily by two lengths.
O’Brien said: “I was hopeful she had improved from two to three. She’s 24kg. heavier this year, which is a good sign and she had to win this to go anywhere else. It’s so difficult to find opportunities for three-year-old sprinters.”
