Tamadhor boost for 1,000 Guineas form
Beaten less than four lengths in sixth behind Pleascach in the fillies classic, the uneasy 9/10 favourite tracked the front-running Geoffrey Chaucer before being eased to the front two furlongs out and running on well to beat last year’s winner Slipper Orchid by two lengths.
“It was a good opportunity for her, although dropping back to seven furlongs wasn’t ideal,” commented winning trainer Prendergast. “They went no pace and it became more of a sprint. But Chris was in the right place all the way and she won well.
“She wants a mile and a quarter and the plan is to run her in the Pretty Polly (Group 1) on Derby weekend, if the boss (Hamdan Al Maktoum) agrees. She came home well in the Guineas and wasn’t far off the good fillies so she was entitled to win tonight.”
Fran Berry achieved a significant milestone in his career when Shabra Emperor, trained for Rita Shah by Anthony McCann, gave him his 1000th winner in Ireland when coming from well off the pace to land the Follow Us On Facebook Handicap at the expense of favourite Ducky Mellon.
This was a vintage ride by Berry (39), coming from second last position at half-way before mounting his challenge down the outside and getting to the front late, to triumph by a half-length.
“The key is Fran — that was a superb ride, unbelievable – I never thought he’d get there,” stated a delighted McCann. “He rode the horse with great confidence and was strong when he needed to be. It’s great that the horse has won on grass, at last. This horse is entered for Cork on Sunday and we’ll see how he is before we decide to go there or stay at home.”
Michael Halford nominated the Group 3 Grangecon Stud Stakes at the Curragh on June 28 as the target for the Godolphin-owned Vitello following her all-the-way win in the opening two-year-old fillies maiden.
Another winner for Shane Foley, the Raven’s Pass filly dictated the pace, lengthened well from the two-furlong pole and, despite idling in front, held debutante Now Or Never by a half-length.
“She’s a lovely, straight-forward filly, with plenty of early pace,” said Halford, “It would have been a help to get a lead, but she was drawn well and Shane said she flew from the gate. She loves that good ground, but idled in front. Shane just had to keep her up to her job.
“She’ll be even better in a fast-run race, when she can be dropped-in. She’ll have no problem with seven furlongs. She’ll go for the Group 3 fillies race at the Curragh on Derby weekend.”
Another successful favourite was the Jim Bolger-trained Stop And Linger, which captured the seven-furlong maiden in convincing style under Kevin Manning.
Ger Flynn, representing Bolger, explained: “Kevin said he handled the ground very well and the drop back to seven furlongs was no problem. The penny is dropping and, on his Gowran form, he was entitled to win. We’ll just have to see where he fits in.”
Pat Martin enjoyed a welcome change of luck when the consistent Ishebayorgrey, ridden by Colin Keane, captured the Whole Lotta Voltage @ Fairyhouse Handicap in a blanket-finish, foiling Split The Atom by a neck.
“He likes quick ground and got a dream run up the rail,” said Martin. “Six furlongs is probably his ideal trip. He’s entered for both Navan (Saturday) and Sligo (Monday) and we’ll see what the handicapper does with him before we decide what to do.”
Martin completed a 57.5/1 double when in-foal mare Oceania Queen, the second reserve, captured the finale, the Bobbyjo Bistro Great Value Packages Handicap under champion-jockey Pat Smullen.
“This is her level and she’s in foal, which probably helps,” said Martin. It’s great to keep the mother-in-law (owner Nuala Brennan) happy for a while.”
Teenager Jack Kennedy registered his second flat success (and his fifth overall) when the Pat Flynn-trained Waydownsouth (10/1) proved too strong for three-year-olds Brightly Shining and My Twinkle in the Book Your Hen Or Stag Part At Fairyhouse Handicap.
