Airwave back in the groove
Airwave looks set for a bright summer after getting her career back on track with an impressive success in the Group Two Ridgewood Pearl Stakes at the Curragh today.
Stepping up to a mile for the first time on just her second start for Aidan O’Brien, the 11-8 joint-favourite saw out the distance well to score by three-quarters of a length.
Formerly trained by Henry Candy, Airwave had proved her mettle over sprint distances but had only a Listed win to her name since landing the Temple Stakes at Sandown almost two years ago.
However, with wins at five, six and now eight furlongs under her belt, Airwave has plenty of options and holds a range of entries from the Queen Anne Stakes at next month’s Royal meeting to Newmarket’s Darley July Cup.
“She has a lot of options open to her now – she is in all the fillies’ races,” said O’Brien.
“There are more Group One races for fillies than ever before and we will be trying to win one.
“Kieren said she saw the trip out well but she just pulls herself up a bit when she hits the front.
“She probably prefers faster ground – she is a good moving filly with a lovely action.”
Fallon had the five-year-old covered up at the back of the five-runner field before unleashing the mare down the outside of her rivals to score from 25-1 shot Miss Trish.
Yorkshire-based Patrick Haslam’s charge Kinnaird, sent off the joint market leader, had to settle for third under Mick Kinane.
Moon Unit denied British raider Moss Vale victory when swooping late to capture the Weatherbys Ireland Greenlands Stakes.
Harry Rogers’ charge produced a telling turn of foot in the final half a furlong to cut down the 2-1 favourite and land the Group Three contest by three-quarters of a length.
Michael Hills moved his father Barry’s runner into contention inside the final two furlongs but he could not hold the 20-1 winner in the closing stages.
Fellow British challenger The Trader managed to make the frame in third but last year’s winner, the David Evans-trained The Kiddykid, failed to land a blow after being handy through the early part of the six-furlong race.
“She got loose on the gallops after her first run this season and caught the top of her shoulder,” said Rogers.
“We had to ease right off on her but it was probably a bit of a blessing as she has always gone well fresh – she has only been back in two weeks.
“We will probably give her another break now to freshen her back up and we might look at Ascot.”
