Square swoops to conquer
The decision to fit him with cheekpieces, after he disappointed at Naas, has clearly improved the son of Acclamation, having worn them for the first time when winning on his next appearance at Fairyhouse.
Parliament Square sported them here as well and, in contrast to Naas, dug down deep when the need was greatest.
Boston Rocker flattered with well over a furlong to go, but Joseph O’Brien got a fine response from the winner, who was nicely in control close home.
Reported Joseph: “He can be quite lazy and they (cheekpieces) have helped him. He idles in front, but is improving.”
The O’Briens completed a double when The Ferryman, a big drifter in the market, belied the apparent lack of confidence by winning the Irish Stallion Farms’ EBF Maiden.
Joseph soon had him bowling along in front and heading to the final furlong the contest appeared to be in safe keeping.
The Ferryman then, however, veered right across the track, but had enough in reserve to hold his promising stable companion, the newcomer Line Drummer.
Joseph subsequently explained that The Ferryman caught the eye of another horse, walking in the opposite direction outside the track, and that the bit then slipped through the winner’s mouth as he attempted to straighten him. “He handled the ground well, but will be better on nicer ground”, concluded Joseph.
O’Brien now blazes the trail in the championship on 43 winners, three clear of both Pat Smullen and Wayne Lordan.
Tommy Stack’s Cape Of Approval justified favouritism with a hard-earned victory in the Fillies Friday Night Out 10th August Maiden.
Driven into the lead by the in-form Lordan inside the furlong pole, he found enough to beat Via Ballycroy by half a length.
Fozzy Stack represented his father and said: “He’s getting his act together now and will probably go next for a six furlongs three-year-old handicap at Cork.”
Cape Of Approval carried the colours of Maureen Haughey, wife of the late Taoiseach, Charles.
Kevin Manning dropped Jim Bolger’s Teofolina out at the back and then produced her with impeccable timing to take the Irish Stallion Farms’ EBF Fillies Maiden.
Aidan O’Brien’s Purple was all the rage in the market and was in front from the start.
But, not for the first time, she found nothing when challenged, as both Teofolina and Aegean Sky shot past in the straight.
Travelling headman, Ger Flynn, represented Bolger and reported: “The key was getting her to relax.”
Packsapunch, trained by Andrew Lee, streaked away with the first division of the Follow Tipperary Races On Facebook Handicap.
Declan McDonogh brought him down the stands’ side and the tactic reaped a rich dividend, as Packsapunch surged clear to score unextended by three lengths.
“A big thank you to the owners (Gone Dutch Syndicate), who have stuck with us”, said Lee. “Declan has ridden this horse a winner twice before and he will now head for something similar.”
The second section of the same contest saw victory going to the venerable Fit The Cove, partnered by Pat Smullen.
Now a 12-year-old, he stripped in terrific shape, finding loads for Smullen to beat Vasoni by half a length.
It was his first win since scoring twice at the Galway festival three years ago and a tenth career success in 87 races.
The Dundrum House Hotel Golf and Resort Handicap was a modest affair, but developed into a stirring finish.
Victory went to the Tim Doyle-trained 20-1 shot, Peinora, powered ahead near the line by Billy Lee to beat the flattering pair, Jigalo and Dayrina. The daughter of Redback paid in excess of 60-1 on the Tote.
