Promise To Be True shines brightly on debut
By Galileo out of Sumora, she was one of three Aidan O’Brien-trained runners in the five-runner event and, despite obvious signs of inexperience, was well on top at the line.
Perplexity tried to make all but was under pressure turning for home, with Decisive Intent challenging, and the Ballydoyle triumvirate out the back. Elizabeth Browning emerged as a threat two out, but the eventual winner, who was being pushed along in last place turning for home and still had three lengths to make up with 150 yards to go, picked up in the most eye-catching fashion when the penny dropped, and won by a cosy length. She looks a terrific prospect.
First chance to emulate her sister could come in the Group 2 Debutante Stakes at the Curragh, in August. Maybe won this race in 2011, before going on to land the Moyglare at the same track. “She’s a very well-bred filly, and Seamus gave her a lovely ride – he was very kind on her,” said O’Brien. “She learned a lot in that race, and could go to the Debutante Stakes next. She isn’t entered in the Moyglare because she wasn’t named in time.”
Of the runner-up, he added: “We liked her going to Naas, where she disappointed, but she pulled a shoe. She came forward from that race, so we’re very happy with her run, too.”
Former Group 1 winner Gordon Lord Byron lined up for the second race with more than €2.2m prize-money earned, and Tom Hogan’s game gelding added another to €9,840 to his spoils when justifying favouritism in good style. Always travelling well, he didn’t have to be hard ridden to pick up Elleval in the dying strides for a cheeky success under Billy Lee.
Said winning trainer Tom Hogan: “That’s a relief, because he can be a difficult horse to train at this time of year, as he suffers from allergies. But, physically, he’s as well as he has ever been, and he’ll now go for the Minstrel Stakes – which he was awarded last year, after Home Of The Brave’s disqualification.”
Jembatt, ridden by Gary Carroll for Michael Mulvany, completed back-to-back victories when holding the strong run of top weight Hatton Cross in the Tipperary Ladies’ Day Saturday July 9 Handicap, and the in-form nine-year-old could make it a hat-trick when lining up for the Jim Fuller Memorial (Div 1) this evening at Bellewstown.
End Play’s 20-1 victory may have been a shock to punters, but trainer Aidan Howard was anything but surprised after watching his lightly raced Zebedee filly make all the running and coast home clear of favourite Aimhirgin Lass in the Pride of Tipperary Festival Fillies’ Handicap.
“The rain came in time for her – the last day she won here it was heavy,” said Howard. “She’s a nice filly, and still hasn’t finished maturing. I brought her to the Curragh and she got upset in stalls, and at Gowran she was drawn on the outer and couldn’t get in. I fancied her today, with the ground and the trip.
“It’s a pity I haven’t her entered in again, but she’s the type of filly you can’t go to the well with too often. I’ll give her a little break, and might have a look at Galway, or might keep her for a little listed race in the autumn.”
The Jim Culloty-trained Knockmaole Boy followed up his recent Ballinrobe victory with another game victory, in the nine-furlong handicap. After stalking the pace for much of the trip, he stayed on strongly in the hands of Robbie Downey to collar Belclare Boy, whose rider’s clever attempt to steal the race off the final bend was foiled by a length.
Ex-Godolphin filly Elltaaf made a successful start for Paddy Twomey when running out an easy winner of the three-runner Tipperary Maiden under Connor King.
The easiest winner of the night came in the final race when Garrett Power’s Lilly The Lioness travelled strongly and quickened off the final bend to put the race to bed. She completed a double of the evening for Seamie Heffernan.
