Progressive Emulous crowns superb weekend for Khalid Abdullah
The Dermot Weld-trained Dansili filly, defied a 5lb. Group 3 penalty incurred at Tipperary two weeks ago, when justifying favouritism under the season’s leading rider Pat Smullen, drawing clear inside the final, furlong to beat Barring Decree by two lengths.
The delighted winning trainer explained: “That was a very professional performance from a smart and progressive filly. I think the patience we showed with her in the spring is paying dividends.”
When asked about plans for Emulous, Weld responded: “I’ll be encouraging Lord Grimthorpe and Prince Khalid to keep this filly in training nest year. She’s getting physically stronger and improving all the time. I’m confident that the best is yet to come from her.”
Emulous was Pat Smullen’s 87th winner of the season’ leaving him seven clear of Fran Berry (80) and eight ahead of reigning champion Johnny Murtagh (79), both of whom were on the mark yesterday.
The Jessica Harrington-trained Gimli’s Rock, a tough and versatile four-year-old, responded to Berry’s strong handling to register an emphatic win in the competitive October Handicap.
Successful only once previously on the level, but a last-gasp victor over hurdles at Limerick last Sunday, Gimli’s Rock in the colours of Belfast businessman Geoffrey Ruddock, travelled sweetly and, when ridden to challenge on the wide outside in the straight, answered Berry’s every call, eventually pulling two-and-a-half lengths clear of Final Flashback which emerged from a three-way photo for the runner-up berth.
Gimli’s Rock, a tough and brave performer in both codes, wears blinkers to aid his concentration and is now likely to revert to hurdling.
Berry had initiated his double on board Redskin Dancer, trained by his boss John Oxx, in the two-year-old fillies maiden, the full-sister to Redstone Dancer getting the better of Dermot Weld’s Flic Flac by a length and a quarter.
Oxx commented: “She was half asleep first time in Fairyhouse and I wasn’t sure how much she learned. I though that six furlongs on fast ground would be a bit sharp for her so it’s a bit of a surprise that she won. But she’ll improve and would be suited by seven furlongs on easy ground. She could make a nice filly next year.”
The Weld/Smullen partnership also came off second best in the opening two-year-old colts’ maiden when the well-supported Invincible Spirit was caught close home by the Aidan O’Brien-trained Ruling, a fellow newcomer, which gave Johnny Murtagh his 79th win of the campaign.
