Smullen sparkles with 134/1 treble

PAT SMULLEN was seen at his tactical best when guiding the Dermot Weld-trained Sapphire to a convincing all-the-way victory in the Irish Stallion Farms Fillies race at Naas last night, highlight of a 134/1 treble for the champion jockey.

The well-backed 2/1 favourite dictated the pace throughout. And Smullen, completing a double on the Medicean filly, gradually increased the tempo from the turn into the straight, stretching clear before holding even-money favourite Haziyna by a length and half.

Winning trainer Weld made a hasty exit from the winner’s enclosure, leaving his son Mark to comment: “The trainer’s in a hurry but was delighted by the filly’s performance and Pat’s excellent ride. And he was delighted her owner (Eva Marie Haefner) was here to see the filly win. The plan is to get black type for her during the year.”