Heartbeat Supreme can claim milestone win for O'Brien at Dundalk
Trainer Joseph O'Brien. Pic: Matt Browne/Sportsfile
Heartbeat Supreme should give Joseph O’Brien a milestone success in the Put The Fun In Fundraising Maiden.
O’Brien, who saddled his first winner, Justice Frederick at Gowran Park in June 2016, is just one shy of his 1,500th win as a trainer.
And, on the eve of his assault on valuable ‘pots’ in Riyadh, where Goodie Two Shoes, Tennessee Stud and Sons And Lovers will contest the Red Sea Turf Handicap and in Qatar where Andab will target the Rayyan Mile Cup, Heartbeat Supreme looks a stand-out in this one-mile maiden.
A handsome son of Supremacy, this colt attracted support ahead of his debut in a ‘winners race’ here just last week.
And he ran a race full of promise, finishing third behind stable-companion Dancing Saxon and previous winner Flanker Jet.
Ridden than, as he will be tonight by Joey Sheridan, Heartbeat Supreme gave the impression that he would improve with that run under his belt and appreciate stepping-up in trip. And, over an extra furlong, he should prove very tough to beat here.
Another O’Brien hope Dusty Rock, a late withdrawal, on veterinary advice, from an easier maiden assignment here on Wednesday, makes plenty of appeal in the four-runner Bar 1 Betting & Casino Rated Race, if allowed to run.
This Starspangledbanner filly made her debut in a Cork maiden last May, finishing sixth behind Oh Cecilia, but wasn’t seen again until two weeks ago when, sent off at 12/1, she stayed on late to fill the runner-up berth behind Pass Me If You Can, with consistent 74-rated This Guy in third.
She should prove even more effective over tonight’s extra furlong and, if given the green-light to run, should prove too strong for 73-rated Friendly Invoice, a winner off 65 back in November and more recently, fourth to Dancing Saxon last week, form which will be tested earlier by Heartbeat Supreme.
Tom McCourt’s stable stalwart Inishmot Prince, now an eight-year-old, returned to winning ways when landing a six-furlong handicap, off 62, two weeks ago.
That typically gritty success was his tenth win on the polytrack, five over six furlongs and five over the minimum trip.
Last time, he beat Mehman (a big fancy for today’s claimer) by a length and a quarter. And, clearly in good fettle, he should make a bold bid to defy a 5lb higher mark in the opening Irisihinjuredjockeys.com Handicap.
4.28. Inishmot Prince
5.00. Mehman (n.b.)
5.30. Heartbeat Supreme (Nap)
6.00. Alex Belardo
6.30. Dusty Rock
7.00. Ebony King
7.30. Autocrat Next
4.28. Subiaco
5.00. Una Matata
5.30. Spirit Honour
6.00. Profit Surge
6.30. Friendly Invoice
7.00. Ballyadam
7.30. Daonethatgotaway
