Murtagh regains winning habit on juvenile pair

CHAMPION jockey Johnny Murtagh, who returned to action after a six-day suspension on the ill-fated Age Of Aquarius at Goodwood last Thursday, regained the winning habit when doubling up on two-year-olds Lake Ontario and Lightening Thief at Naas yesterday.

Having shown little on his debut at Leopardstown recently, Lake Ontario, a Johannesburg colt trained by Aidan O’Brien and carrying the colours of Derrick Smith, showed major improvement when bolting up in the opening Irish Stallion Farms 2-Y-0 Maiden over six furlongs.

Sent to the front at the furlong-pole, Lake Ontario quickly asserted, quickening clear to slam Inishmot Duchess by five lengths and prompting the winning rider to comment: “He came on a lot from his run in Leopardstown and felt a different colt today. He picked up well and should improve again.”