Cole raises sights for luck
Paul Cole could switch Luck Money’s attentions to racing at the highest level after the colt plundered a huge €1m prize in the Parknasilla Hotel Goffs (C&G) Million at the Curragh.
The Dewhurst is the race under consideration for the lightly-raced son of Indian Ridge after he powered home with the minimum of fuss.
It was by far the biggest race won by rider Richard Quinn on his comeback from retirement.
Luck Money was sent off the 9-2 favourite and led home a British one-two-three, with Gary Moore’s Hitchens second and the William Jarvis-trained Major Willy third.
Hitchens, the mount of Kieren Fallon, was the only one to pose any sort of a threat once Luck Money had taken it up, but he could not get to the leader and was comfortably held by two and a half lengths.
David Wachman’s Lisvale was the first one home for the Irish team, finishing fourth.
The winner was cut to 16-1 from 20s by the sponsors for next season’s Stan James 2000 Guineas, the same price as VC Bet, while Coral go 20s.
Cole, attending the sales in America, told At The Races: “We’ve always thought highly of him and we think he’s a Group horse. Our faith in him has been rewarded and it’s very exciting
“We were very pleased with the ride Richard gave him. There was no point holding him up to see if he got the trip. He would either get it or he would not.
“He kept a bit up his sleeve, and it all went to plan.
“The Dewhurst is a possibility, but you can’t make snap decisions about these things.”
Quinn added: “He was third in the Coventry and then had a break and freshened up. This was always the plan from when he was bought at the sales.
“It was pretty straightforward. He was slightly slowly away but I rode him positively, as if he got the trip.
“There was never much fear – he has got Group class.”
Jim Bolger’s newcomer Lush Lashes made most of the running to land the Parknasilla Hotel Goffs Fillies Million.
The only debutant in the field, Kevin Manning’s mount saw off the challenge of Rinterval, trained by Richard Hannon, to take the first prize.
Lush Lashes (10-1) got home by a length and was introduced into the betting for the Stan James 1000 Guineas at 20-1 with the sponsors and 16-1 with totesport.
Bolger said: “She was due to run about a month ago but got a ’shin’, but we’ve got through all that now.
“We will try to get some black type for her this season – she could go anywhere next – but she will be going for the Guineas next season.”
Four Sins just held Queen’s Best in a thrilling finish to the Irish National Stud Blandford Stakes (Group Two).
The two fillies went off the 9-4 joint-favourites and were neck and neck throughout the final furlong, but it was Four Sins who prevailed by a short head for jockey Mick Kinane and trainer John Oxx.
Jamie Spencer had to settle for second on Sir Michael Stoute’s Newmarket challenger, with Dalvina third.
Oxx said: “She did it well. She’s been working well recently and I thought today would be her best day.
“She has been in top form and thriving lately, but she did need a bit of luck on the line.
“She’s done well, winning a Group Three and a Group Two and finishing fourth in the Oaks, so we will have to wait and see what we do next. She’s better on this fast ground, although she does go on soft.”
Paul Green enjoyed another successful raid on Irish soil when Invincible Force (7-1) took the William Fry Handicap.
The Merseyside trainer landed a double at the same course last month highlighted by Sudden Impact’s victory in the Tattersalls Ireland Sale Stakes.
