Burke's Native Warrior justifies odds to take Ballycorus Stakes at 'lucky' Leopardstown

AT A STRETCH: Native Warrior and James Doyle win for trainer Karl Burke from Audience. Picture: Healy Racing

Trained by Karl Burke, ahead of a massive week at Royal Ascot, Native Warrior justified 6/4 favouritism in the Group 3 Ballycorus Stakes in Leopardstown, bouncing back from a lacklustre recent run in Naas.

Ridden by Wathnan’s retained rider James Doyle, the five-year-old outpointed front-running compatriot Audience, with three-year-old Redemption Road faring best of the local contenders in third.

Burke stated, “I love Leopardstown – it’s been a lucky place for me over the years. I didn’t know what happened this fellow in Naas, but he scoped dirty when he got home.

“I thought he looked great tonight and he’s a grand old horse. He loves soft ground and, although he stays a mile, seven furlongs is his perfect trip. He was unlucky in France on his first run of the season. And we’ll campaign him at this level, Group 3. Wherever the rain is, he’ll turn up.” 

Most impressive winner of the nigh was, undoubtedly, Cromac Quay, second leg of a double for Jessica Harrington and Shane Foley, in the seven-furlong fillies maiden.

Beaten, at odds-on, but the exciting Sparan Nua in Naas last time, the Night Of Thunder tracked debutante Blooming Rose before challenging early in the straight. Soon in command, she picked-up impressively, stretching clear to beat Slaney View by nine and a half lengths.

“She bumped into good fillies in her two starts, but showed tonight what she’s made of,” said Harrington, “She pulled a shoe the last day in Naas, when beaten by a very smart filly. 

“She has acceleration and is ready to step into a stakes race – she’ll probably come back here for the ‘Brownstown’ (Group 3, on July 9). She’ll have no problem with a mile, but we’ll stick to seven furlongs for now.” 

The Commonstown double had been sparked when Pisiffik Ginger, the only filly with race experience, landed the two-year-old median sires series Maiden at the expense of Epilogue.

“She ran a great race in Fairyhouse, having been slowly away,” said the trainer, “Experience stood to her here and she picked up nicely. We’ll see where we go. And she’ll stay a mile.” 

Up 21lb. for recent wins at Down Royal and the Curragh, the Denis Hogan-trained Meriden (Joey Sheridan) again defied the handicapper when completing her hat-trick in the GAIN The Advantage Series Handicap, coming from behind to beat Green Kite emphatically.

“I was worried about the ground, but Patrick (owner Patrick O’Brien) said that she’s a long-term breeding proposition and not to worry about running her,” explained Hogan.

“She’s improving away and needed about 7lb. to get into the fillies handicap in Derby weekend (the €100,000 Summer Fillies Handicap) – it’s a bit soon, but that’s still the plan.” 

A dual-winner for her previous trainer John O’Donoghue, Abbey Actress struck for the first time for Johnny Murtagh when taking the Bulmers Live Apprentice Handicap under Paddy MeGettigan.

The 4/6 favourite prevailed over Galway-bound Clear Quartz and Coeur D’or, prompting her trainer to comment, “She deserved that. It looked the perfect race and she loves soft ground.

“She tries hard and the owners are keen to get some black type for her – we’ll stay in handicaps for now, but, maybe, her heart will do that job for her.” 

Royal Ascot-bound Mick Mulvany and Wesley Joyce were on the mark when ultra-tough filly Electric Beauty made all to take the nine-furlong fillies handicap, holding favourite Great Mover.

“She’s a lovely filly in those conditions,” said Mulvany. “She deserves a break and she should get into the bottom of the Galway Mile – that’s where she’ll pop up next.” 

Out of luck on Great Mover, Billy Lee delivered on eleven-race maiden Khormor Syd for his sister Gillian Scott in the finale, the Sandyford Business District Handicap, keeping the gambled-on Ella’s Gold at bay by a half-length in a blanket-finish.