Leopardstown Wednesday review: Aidan O'Brien pair shine
O'Brien winner slashed for Oaks
Savethelastdance halved in price for the Oaks after a determined success in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Maiden at Leopardstown.
The daughter of Galileo was sent off the outsider of three Aidan O’Brien contenders at 20/1 but had clearly learnt a bit from her sole start at two, as she was not long in getting to a share of the lead before striding on with seven furlongs to run.
Ryan Moore was never far away on Boogie Woogie but could not get past the Wayne Lordan-ridden leader, and neither could Dermot Weld’s even-money favourite Azazat, who looked to have every chance from two out but failed to the extra gear that might have been expected.
“She had a nice run last year and obviously she handled the ground well and she stays well,” said O’Brien of his charge, whose American Grade One-winning dam Daddys Lil Darling went to Enable’s Oaks only to be withdrawn after bolting to the start when Epsom was hit by a thunderstorm.
“We were delighted with the second filly, we thought she’d win. Ryan said he followed her but every time he went to her, she found more. You are never sure about that ground until you run in it. Dermot thought his filly was good and so did Joseph (O’Brien, trainer of fourth home Star Galaxy) so I’d say it was a decent race. She’ll go into a trial now and she’ll get further.”
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O’Brien and Lordan wasted no time in doubling up, as The Prairie (7/2) took the Aparto Student (C & G) Maiden.
Like Savethelastdance seen just once as a juvenile, the Galileo colt sat not far off the pace set by stablemate Duke Cador and while he needed every yard of the 10 furlongs to get on top he was a cosy enough winner at the line.
Paddy Power were impressed by both Ballydoyle winners, with Savethelastdance 33-1 for the Oaks and The Prairie 25-1 for the Derby.
“He had a nice run in Killarney last year,” said O’Brien. “He’s bred to get a mile and a half. Wayne had a lovely position on him, Seamus (Heffernan) went an even gallop in front and he picked up and galloped home. Wayne liked him loads so that was good. He got a mile and a quarter very well there in heavy ground and he’s obviously going to get a mile and a half well. He’s a horse to look forward to.
“Seamus was delighted with his horse (Duke Cador) and said to maybe ride him a bit more patient the next day as when he got there he was waiting. Ryan’s horse (The Black Tiger) pulled a muscle in his hind quarters, maybe at the two marker. We’ll give him a bit of time off and hopefully he’ll be OK.”
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O’Brien was narrowly denied a hat-trick on the day, with Farnborough and Moore losing out by a short head to the Jim Bolger-trained Fleetfoot in the Aparto Home Stretch (C & G) Maiden.
The winner kept good company in three starts last year, including finishing third to subsequent Group One winner Al Riffa on his second outing.
“His form was good last year. He usually only got mugged by a very good horse and he’s a better three-year-old than he was a two-year-old,” said Bolger of the Rory Cleary-ridden 7-4 favourite. “He handled it well and I’d say he’ll go on any ground. I’d say he’ll go all the way trip-wise. Hopefully he’ll be back here in September!”
Brave Buckaroo lands feature
Buckaroo showed plenty of heart to dig deep and hold off Homeless Songs in a thrilling finish to the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Heritage Stakes at Leopardstown.
Chris Hayes aboard Dermot Weld’s Irish 1000 Guineas heroine had Buckaroo in his sights as the protagonists passed the one-furlong pole, showing all the style that saw her saunter to Classic success at the Curragh in 2022.
Although the 13/8 favourite drew level with Oisin Murphy’s mount in the closing stages, she was never able to get by the tough as teak Joseph O’Brien-trained colt (5.2), who pulled out extra to repel the strong challenge laid down by the returning-to-form filly and register a neck verdict at the finish.
The Qatar Racing-owned four-year-old was denied by the barest of margins at the Dublin track in last year’s Ballysax Stakes but got the better of the result this time around in his first outing since disappointing in last year’s Irish 2,000 Guineas. The victory also continued the hot run of Murphy since returning to the saddle following suspension.
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“He was really straightforward, he had very nice form last year and it was lovely to be on him today,” said Murphy. “Joseph pointed this race out about a month ago so it was a long time in the planning. We must really thank the team at Joseph O’Brien’s because the middle of last year he was quite sick and all the staff at Carriganog, and the vets, did a good job to nurse him back to health. It was looking like it was going to be a real battle.
“He went to post really sleepy, I was slowly away on one here on Sunday so I didn’t want the same thing to happen so I gave him a little nudge out and he relaxed in the race. It was a sit-and-sprint sort of race. When she (Homeless Songs) loomed up, she’s a very good filly and she put up a battle. I loved his attitude, he switched back to his outside lead and put his ears back and tried hard. They are admirable qualities.
“Joseph did say he had a little away day at the Curragh, but an older horse like this is always bound to improve from a race. He’s a homebred and that makes all the difference.”
Of his fruitless weekend trip, where a flying visit for one ride resulted in a narrow reverse, Murphy added: “It was a shame because on Sunday my family came and I got beat a short head and should have won. It was nice to make amends today.”
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