Square Necker can give De Aguiar dream start to new role

The Brazilian has been the mastermind behind a lot of AMO’s success and looks certain to make an impact as a trainer

Fri, 14 Nov, 2025 - 07:23

John Ryan

Robson De Aguiar, a key figure in the AMO Racing operation in recent years, will be expected to strike with Square Necker, his first runner since receiving his trainer’s licence in the Bar On Racing Acca Boost Maiden in Dundalk on Friday.

The Brazilian has been the mastermind behind a lot of AMO’s success and looks certain to make an impact in his new role, and runs both Square Necker and Bryant, formerly under the care of Adrian Murray, on this seven-race card.

Square Necker, a son of Zarak, had one run for Ralph Beckett in England, when sent off 6-4 favourite for a 10-furlong Doncaster maiden back in March.

He shaped with plenty of promise, finishing third, beaten less than a length, behind Godolphin colt Bedouin Prince and The Cursor, both subsequent winners.

The selection has been gelded since we saw him last and, returning after a 230-day absence, he should take plenty of beating here, with Colin Keane on board — his main threats should be 74-rated Matrice and Wonderfulwonderful, winner of a juvenile hurdle at Killarney in August.

Successful off 77 at Roscommon before finishing fourth to the progressive Saratoga in Listowel, Bryant will carry De Aguiar’s hopes in the later Bar One Racing Your Acca Handicap, with obvious claims.

But preference is for Richard O’Brien’s Quatre Bras. A course and distance winner (off a 6lb lower mark) last month he failed by three-quarters of a length to cope with Lady Lunette, over a longer trip, two weeks ago.

Colin Keane has a strong book of rides and might kick-start his evening on a high with the Ger Lyons-trained Amiata in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF 2-Y-0 Race.

Runner-up to First Approach on his debut at Naas in the spring, he disappointed a few times before coming good at Navan in late August, outpointing 86-rated Namiid.

Since then, he had to settle for fifth spot behind First Approach in the Birdcatcher at Naas.

Now, encountering the polytrack for the first time, 88-rated Amiata is one of four winners in the field and looks the pick of the quartet.

And he’ll also have to cope with Henry de Bromhead’s filly My Cubby Bear, pipped by Back To Me last time, and the Danny Murphy-trained Sovereign Cry, almost certainly better than his debut effort might suggest and suited by the drop in trip.

DUNDALK

Selections

5.30 Amiata

6.00 Sporting Hero

6.30 Badger’s Cove

7.00 Just Another Eagle

7.30 Square Necker (Nap)

8.00 Quatre Bras (NB)

8.30 Blackjack Hills

Next best

5.30.My Cubby Bear

6.00 Barbapapa