Kissed justifies strong support on debut
The daughter of Galileo, heavily backed from 9/4 to 6/4, came through under a confident Joseph O’Brien (carrying 1lb. overweight) to collar front-running Violet Lashes inside the final furlong and triumph by a length and a half.
In the absence of his father, Joseph commented: “She’s a very nice filly and did it well. I was happy with my position all the way and she picked up well in that testing ground. She pricked her ears going to the line, which is always a good sign. She stays well and is a nice prospect.”
Earlier, the Dermot Weld trained triple bumper winner Hidden Universe won the October Maiden in the hands of Pat Smullen, making amends for his odds-on defeat in the race twelve months ago.
The Linamix gelding stayed on stoutly in the closing stages to forge two and three-quarter lengths clear of Chaperoned, to the satisfaction of Kris Weld, representing his father, who was attending the Sales in Newmarket.
Weld Jnr. commented: “He did well to win out there, because it turned into a fair slog. He won well in the finish, but it seemed a long two miles. He doesn’t want deep ground but I’d say he’ll go back hurdling now.”
It was a good day for Eddie Lynam who commented: “What’s seldom is wonderful. It’s good to be off the cold list,” after Balmont Mast won the opening Kells Maiden, initiating a stable double completed later by Quote Of The Day.
Having tracked the leaders, Colm O’Donoghue produced Balmont Mast to tackle The Munster Maori inside the final furlong before beating Judies Child (racing in the centre of the course) by a length and three-quarters.
“He had surgery since his last run to sort out a wind problem and the drop in class, after running in decent company, helped him,” said Lynam, “He’ll be heading back to Dundalk now where the style of racing will suit him.”
Quote Of The Day powered through the testing ground conditions to land the Irish Stallion Farms 2-Y-0 Maiden in convincing style under Chris Hayes, completing Lynam’s double.
Brought wide turning for home, Quote Of The Day had built a clear lead with more than two furlongs to race and was never threatened, coming home seven lengths clear of Casual Creeper.
“Chris came wide on him, looking for the best of the ground, because it’s getting a bit poached down the inner. He won, so it was the right thing to do.”
Lynam, who trains the Modigliani colt for Kilboy Estates, nominated the listed Eyrefield Stakes over nine furlongs at Leopardstown on November 6 as Quote Of The Day’s final outing of the season.
Following Pat Smullen’s earlier success on Hidden Universe, Johnny Murtagh increased his lead in the race for the 2011 Jockeys Championship to three (71-68) thanks to a double on Tupelo Honey and Tugboat.
Murtagh produced the Charles O’Brien-trained Sadler’s Wells filly Tupelo Honey with a strong late challenge to foil the flattering Mojita and Shela House in the Meath Handicap.
And he overcame the handicap of dropping his reins on Tugboat, a strong 2/1 favourite, which got home by a half-length from newcomer Statesmanship in the concluding Irish Stallion Farms Maiden..
Building on his debut fifth at the Curragh, Tugboat was the first winner trained by John Oxx for owner Thomas Barr. Jim O’Neill, Oxx’s assistant, commented: “Johnny said he’s green and still learning. This horse stays well and needs a mile and a half or further. There’s plenty of improvement in him. He has the pedigree to improve with age but he’s entered for the Newmarket Sales, so I don’t know what the plan will be.”
Samantha Bell, who is apprenticed to Kevin Prendergast, recorded her fifth career success when Amour Fou, trained on the Curragh by Bill Farrell, proved best in a blanket finish to the five furlong Derrinstown Stud Apprentice Handicap, the Piccolo filly getting the better of Wellmarked by a half-length.
