Aidan O'Brien's dream season continued at the Curragh today when Quarter Moon provided the Ballydoyle yard with a 14th Group 1 win this term in the Moyglare Stud Stakes. The Sadler's Wells filly swept through late on the stands side to pip Moyglare's Dress To Thrill by three quarters of a length, with Sophisticat a neck back in third. However, O’Brien admitted afterwards that Quarter Moon may not run again season. He insisted: “From the first day she looked special, and Mick (Kinane) gave her a lovely introduction here the last day. She is very green, and will have learned a good bit today. She is in all the good races, but may not run again this season.”
Meanwhile, Cashmans make Dress To Thrill 12/1 for the 1,000 Guineas behind 10/1 market leader Gossamer. O'Brien reports Galileo on target for the Irish Champion Stakes next Saturday, while Bach and Ice Dancer could also line-up in the Group 1 event.
Steaming Home was the highlight of a double for Dermot Weld and Pat Smullen when justifying favouritism in the Listed Go And Go Round Tower Stakes. The American bred filly headed the pace-setting Minashki approaching the furlong pole, and she kept on well to score by one-and-a-half lengths. Trainer Dermot Weld, who nominated the Cheveley Park Stakes for her next run, confirmed afterwards: “She has alot of speed, and a lovely attitude. She is as tough as teak, and is progressing nicely.”
Chill Seeking completed the Weld/Smullen brace in the ten furlong maiden, heading odds-on Snowflake inside the final 1/4m and drawing clear from the furlong pole to score by seven lengths. Johnny Murtagh was given a two day suspension, and ordered to forfeit his riding fee, after failing to ride out for fourth place aboard Kropotkin in this race.
Murtagh had better fortune in the following five furlong handicap where Step Back showed good speed throughout to beat Toger Royal by a comfortable two lengths. Meanwhile, Frankie Dettori successfully adopted front-running tactics on Independence in the Trusted Partner Matron Stakes to beat Toroca by one length.
Victoria Hughes, 19, recorded her third and biggest win to date when getting Osprey Ridge up in the final strides to touch off Montpelier Street in the Cambridgeshire. Tadhg O'Shea is now just one win behind leaders Pat Cosgrave and Wayne Lordan in the apprentice title race after Rashay took the opening apprentice handicap. Finally, Splanc just held off the strong late flourish of Easy Sunshine in the concluding seven furlong maiden.
Filed by Shane Murray
