Heffernan hits treble top at the Curragh
Seamus Heffernan took the riding honours at the Curragh with a 389-1 treble on Jupiter Pluvius, Savethisdanceforme and Sandymount Earl.
His first two winners, trained by Aidan O’Brien, staked their claim to be high up the pecking order at Ballydoyle as three-year-olds next season.
Jupiter Pluvius looked a bright prospect when making a winning debut in the Hacketts – Ireland’s Largest Independent Bookmaker EBF Maiden.
Given plenty of time to get into a rhythm by Heffernan, he joined the experienced Dahindar a furlong out and the two battled it out to the line.
Jupiter Pluvius (5-1) got on top in the final 50 yards to win by a neck.
Coral introduced Jupiter Pluvius into their Stan James 2000 Guineas betting at 20-1.
“Jupiter Pluvius was the subject of some positive reports prior to his racecourse debut and although he won by only a neck, he has completed the first step to possible Classic glory,” said the Barking-based firm’s spokesman David Stevens.
Savethisdanceforme (4-1) is 20-1 for the Oaks with William Hill after a facile victory in the Lanwades & Staffordstown Studs Stakes.
Fourth in the Prix Marcel Boussac on her previous start, she led a furlong out and ran away from the opposition in the closing stages, striding clear to win by nine lengths from Maryellen’s Spirit.
Heffernan said: “She ran a nice race in France. She is a big filly and took a while to come to herself, but she’s there now.”
Heffernan completed his trio on Sandymount Earl (12-1) for Jessica Harrington in the Hacketts Bookmakers Irish Cesarewitch.
Orbit O’Gold took two lengths out of the field two furlongs out but he had no answer to the late flourish of Sandymount Earl.
The four-year-old gelding, who carries the colours of rock star Ronnie Wood of the Rolling Stones, strolled away to win by three and a lengths for a success which was witnessed by his owner.
Harrington said: “We were a bit worried about the faster ground. He’s tough, Seamus was at him a long way out and he just kept at it. The handicapper will kill us.
“He has had three runs at the Curragh and three wins. We were going to run in the Cesarewitch at Newmarket but we decided to go for this because Ronnie Wood was in Ireland.”
Fonthill Road came with a telling run from the rear of the field to win the www.hacketts.ie Joe McGrath EBF Handicap.
Jamie Moriarty bided his time on the Richard Fahey-trained seven-year-old as If Paradise made the running.
Switched to the outside to make his challenge, Fonthill Road (6-1 joint-favourite) produced a fine turn of foot to hit the front and hold Mooretown Lady by half a length.
Jim Bolger and Kevin Manning, fresh from New Approach’s triumph in the Dewhurst Stakes, enjoyed further glory with Ezima (7-1) in the Rathbarry Stud’s Barathea Finale Stakes.
The filly took it up two out and romped home by four lengths from Attercliffe, with All My Loving only third.
Bolger said: “She’s the type of filly who could do well as a four year old.
“She’s improving and might run again this season. I hoped she’d win so I hadn’t looked beyond that, but she might go to France now for her last run of the season.”
As for New Approach, Bolger reported: “He ate up up well last night. Everything seems fine and I’m expecting him home this evening.”
