Quest For Peace continues on upward curve
Off the track since winning a ten furlong Leopardstown maiden back in April, the Galileo colt was produced with a well-timed challenge by Irish Derby hero Colm O’Donoghue to master the flattering Haziyna by a length and a quarter.
The winning trainer was not present but O’Donoghue commented: “He’s still a baby, but has come forward since his maiden win at Leopardstown. He picked up well and appreciated the step-up to a mile and a half. He should, keep improving as the season goes on.”
Clearly a progressive colt, Quest For Peace, which carries the colours of Mrs Sue Magnier, holds a number of big-race entries, starting with Saturday’s John Smiths Cup at York and, later, races like York’s Great Voltigeur next month, the Irish Champion Stakes and Irish St.Leger.
Colm O’Donoghue was suspended for two race-days for careless riding following an incident at the seven-furlong point concerning Quest For Peace and his stable-companion Why (David McCabe).
The Joseph O’Brien-ridden top-weight Harrisons’s Cave started favourite to complete a double for Ballydoyle in the Roscommon Handicap over a mile-and-a-half but had to settle for third spot behind the J P McManus-owned Whatever It Takes.
Wayne Lordan had to work hard on the Tommy Stack trained High Chaparral gelding throughout the last three furlongs, forcing him home by a head from Unique Style. The winner might reappear in an apprentice handicap at Leopardstown on Thursday.
The Ger Lyons trained Lightening Pearl delivered on her promising debut second to subsequent Group 3 winner Experience at Navan when landing the opening Irish Stallion Farms 2-Y-0 Maiden.
Soon in front under Johnny Murtagh, the Marju filly shook off the attentions of Among Equals before beating favourite Catamount by two lengths, prompting Lyons to comment: “She’s a lovely filly and came on well from her first run. She had to do it the hard way tonight in what looked a rough enough race.
“She should improve again and would appreciate a bit of dig in the ground. The next job is to get some black type for her, so we’ll be looking for a suitable listed race.”
Like Colm O’Donoghue, winning rider Murtagh picked up a one-day careless riding ban, resulting from an incident involving his mount and eventual third Among Equals leaving the back straight. This is the third suspension incurred by Murtagh in the last two weeks.
Trainer Shane Buggy will chose between a trip to Galway or a break for Core Element after the four-year-old completed a hat-trick in the fillies handicap, defying a 9lb. rise for her success in Sligo last week.
Ridden again by Gary Carroll, Core Element came through strongly to get the better of Compelling by three-quarters of a length. Buggy explained: “I was thinking about having a crack at the seven furlong fillies handicap in Galway. But Gary told me that she showed signs of temperament at the start and wasn’t keen on going into the stalls. He said she could do with a break so I’ll have to think about it.”
