Prendergast claims Ballysax double
Moiqen earned a 40-1 quote with Cashmans for the Vodafone Derby when providing trainer Kevin Prendergast with a second successive victory in the P.W McGrath Memorial Ballysax Stakes at Leopardstown.
Mores Wells did the business for Prendergast 12 months ago, and Moiqen flew the flag this time around to stake his Classic claims.
The son of Red Ransom took command over a furlong out and was three-quarters of a length clear at the line.
Aidan O’Brien’s Hebridean chased him home, with Dermot Weld’s Unwritten Rule third and 6-4 favourite Alessandro Volta – who reportedly slipped on leaving the stalls – finishing fourth.
Prendergast, who also took the opening maiden with 3-1 chance Vilasol, said: “He is the best I have got and he is highly rated, so he is entered in everything including the Derby at Epsom.
“He might come back here for the Derrinstown but we’ll see how he comes out of this and let the boss (Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum) decide.”
O’Brien added: “The horses look backward at the moment and it will be interesting to see if they are still backward in a month’s time.”
Weld dominated the rest of the afternoon by sending out a treble, highlighted by Irish Derby-bound Winchester’s convincing win in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden.
The 3-1 joint favourite stretched clear inside the distance to reward those who has supported him down from his morning price of 8s, with O’Brien’s Juddmonte Oaks-entered Moonstone running an eyecatching race in second under Johnny Murtagh.
Weld said: “He was a little green when he hit the front and has a little to learn but he is a nice, progressive colt.
“I trained his dam and his sire and I think he has the breeding and the looks of a very nice horse.
“He could come back here for the Derrinstown or go to the Gallinule and I see him as an Irish Derby horse.”
The second leg of Weld’s hat-trick came as the former Andre Fabre-trained Tian Shan (100-30) benefited from a well-judged ride to grind out a three-quarter-length success in the Listed Heritage Stakes.
Weld said: “He is progressing and came on for his first win for me at Tipperary.
“I think a mile is about right for him and the obvious place to go is back here in two weeks for the Amethyst.”
The pint-sized Luxie initiated Weld’s winning spree when kicking on down the straight to take the Maple Handicap as the 9-2 favourite.
Weld added: “She is less than 15 hands and would be the smallest thoroughbred I have trained but few have the courage and will to win she has.
“She’s now had four runs in quick succession so I will give her a break and bring her back later in the year.”
