Joseph O’Brien secures spectacular 714/1 treble at the Curragh
Starford and Scott McCullagh win for trainer Joseph O'Brien. Pic: Healy Racing.
In tremendous form under both codes in recent weeks, Joseph O’Brien took the honours with a spectacular 714/1 treble at the Curragh, highlighted by a superb 1-2, spear-headed by Starford, in the Group 3 Tote Guarantee, Never Beaten By SP Alleged Stakes.
Progressive in handicaps last season, scoring at Gowran Park, Roscommon and Listowel, Starford, a Beckford gelding picked-up well to collar better-fancied stable-companion Beset to triumph by three-quarters of a length, with Red Letter in third.
"He was very progressive last year and had a nice run here in a handicap on his first run back,” explained the trainer.
“He’s a smart horse – that’s the bottom-line. And he handles soft ground. He quickened up well and I’d say a mile and a quarter is a good trip form him. I’m not sure how much further he wants to go.”
Starford’s win crowned a good weekend for his owners Newtown Anner Stud Farm Ltd, who also bagged the ‘John Porter’ with Convergent in Newbury on Saturday.
The O’Brien treble was sparked when Star Prospect, a first two-year-old runner of the season for the stable, confidently handled by Joey Sheridan, picked-up in good style to beat Ballydoyle colt Carry The Flag by a length and a quarter in the Arizona Blaze Irish EBF 2-Y-0 Race.
“He’s been showing a lot of speed at home and that was a nice start,” stated O’Brien.
“He’s still green enough, but he was very impressive to the line. Five furlongs is his trip, at least for now, as he’s all speed. I’d say he’ll have another run, possibly in the ‘First Flier’ here (May 4) before going for the ‘Norfolk’ at Royal Ascot."
Sheridan completed a personal double and delivered the final leg of the Carriganog treble when bringing 12/1 handicap debutant Arctic Assassin, in the colours of the trainer’s mother, gelded since last season and weari9ng first-time cheekpieces, with a well-timed challenge to take the finale at the expense of Dreoilin.
Most impressive winner of the day was the Aidan O’Brien-trained debutant Great Barrier Reef, a son of No Nay Never, who bolted up by no less than six lengths, under Ryan Moore, in the Visit The Irish National Stud And Gardens 2-Y-0 Maiden, justifying 4/9 favouritism and slamming 100/1 shot Ischgl.
“You’s have to be very happy with that,” stated Aidan O’Brien. “He’s a No Nay Never, an influence for speed. We’ve always liked him, although he has never been away, and felt he was a six furlong horse that should get seven. He’s a Royal Ascot horse and will have another run before he goes there.”
Matching Joey Sheridan, Billy Lee was also in double form, striking on Willie McCreery eminently consistent sprinter Stag Night (3/1 favourite) in the SIS Supporting Irish Racing Handicap, and the Tom Coyle-trained Merisi Diamond, who registered his fifth career success in the 1xBet.ie Handicap.
Merisi Diamond held on by a head from fast-finishing favourite Red Charlie and denied the Slatterys a double following the earlier victory of Bint Majestic Roi (6/1) in the Final Furlong Podcast Handicap.
