Third Group 3 success for classy Emulous
Sent off 9/4 favourite and confidently handled by Pat Smullen, the four-year-old Dansili filly tracked the leaders, quickened well when asked to challenge and, soon in command, kept on well enough, despite idling in front, to beat Claiomh Solais readily by a length with Rose Bonheur third.
The filly’s third win at Group 3 level was particularly praiseworthy as she was conceding a stone to the Jim Bolger-trained runner-up, fourth in both the Irish 1,000 Guineas and last Saturday’s Pretty Polly Stakes at the Curragh.
A delighted Dermot Weld stated: “That was a very pleasing performance from a very consistent filly. It looked a very competitive and very good Group 3.
“She’s a filly that needs a bit of time between her races — that’s why she didn’t go to Royal Ascot — and likes a little ease in the ground. She’ll have a little break now and will be trained for the Group 1 Matron Stakes at Leopardstown in September and then the Sun Chariot Stakes in Newmarket. They look the logical races for a filly of this quality.”
Although unsuccessful with favourite Buccaneer Bob in a later handicap, Ger Lyons doubled-up with Bible Blank and Suspect Device in the opening two races.
Off the track since being turned over at 2/5 in Dundalk back in April, uneasy favourite Bible Black proved a facile winner of the opening two-year-old maiden, making most of the running to triumph by four lengths despite hanging left through the last two furlongs.
Lyons said: “He’s still very immature and needs time to furnish and strengthen. He lugged left up the straight, due to pure weakness. He’s typical of his sire (Big Bad Bob) — he’s game and genuine and loves racing. He’ll be a much better three-year-old than two-year-old. We’ll take our time and give him time to grow up.”
Fifteen-race maiden Suspect Device, in the familiar colours of Sean Jones, completed Lyons’ double when belatedly opening his account under Keagan Latham in the Family Day Sunday July 10th Handicap.
Produced on the wide outside to lead with a furlong and a half to race, the son of Verglas held the late challenge of top-eight Bubbly Bellini by a neck, prompting Lyons to comment: “He’s a hardy horse and has been kept busy.
“Young Gary (Phillips) has ridden him the last twice, but I decided to put a senior jockey on him tonight. The last day, he misbehaved in the stalls and bit through his tongue-tie.
“On his best form, he had a chance in a race like this, but everything has to fall right for him. It’s a bonus to win with a horse like him.”
Johnny Murtagh, successful; in the opener on Bible Black, completed a double in the finale the Fairyhouse Venue Hire Maiden when uneasy 9/10 favourite Kastania had to work hard to wear down front-running Ballydoyle representative Sam Lord’s Castle, getting home by a neck.
Kastania, is trained for the Aga Khan by John Oxx, who commented: “That was close enough. Aidan’s horse kept finding and made it tough for her. But she stays well and got there. She handles most types of ground and needs a galloping track. She’ll go for a mile-and-a-half handicap somewhere now.”
