Johannesburg continued the terrible record of favourites in the Gladness Stakes when the 1/3 shot was touched off in the €70,000 feature by the fast finishing Rebelline at The Curragh this afternoon. Rebelline, representing Chryss O'Reilly whose Castlemartin & La Louviere Studs sponsored the Group 3 event, appeared to have an impossible task when trapped on the far rail over a furlong out. However, the four-year-old filly sprouted wings when switched out to challenge by Declan McDonogh, and flew home to catch the odds-on favourite in the final stride.
The result was confirmed after a stewards' enquiry, but McDonogh was given a one day suspension for careless riding. Winning trainer Kevin Prendergast reported that Rebelline had a back problem earlier this year, and may head next for the Prix Ganay if there is some cut in the ground. As a result Cashmans have dismissed Johannesburg as a Kentucky Derby contender, going to 25/1 from 9/2, while Hawk Wing has generally shortened in price for the 2,000 Guineas. "Everything is very much up in the air. He's lost his unbeaten record but its not the end of the world," was Aidan O'Brien's immediate reaction to Johannesburg's defeat.
Prendergast and McDonogh took star billing on the sun-drenched afternoon when completing a 134/1 treble. Cat Belling started the ball rolling in the two-year-old auction fillies maiden, running prominent throughout and holding on by half a length from Flamingo Bay. Sandford Park won in contrasting fashion later in the afternoon, swooping late on the far rail to deny Hasikiya by a similar margin in the one mile maiden.
The O'Brien/Kinane team were on the mark in the ten furlong maiden where Black Sam Bellamy justified odds-on support, and he was given a 33/1 quote by Paddy Power for the Epsom Derby. O'Brien confirmed afterwards: "I wouldn't be surprised if he turned into a French Derby horse. High Chaparrel will probably go for the Ballysax Race at Leopardstown.
Meanwhile, Dermot Weld and Pat Smullen combined for a 39/1 double with handicappers Tiger Royal and Prize Time. Tiger Royal quickened over a furlong out for a cosy two-and-a-half lengths win in the six furlong race, while Prize Time went clear at the furlong pole for a convincing success over nine furlongs. Weld admitted afterwards: "My horses are a bit backward, and both of these have improved from their first run. Prize Time may run next at Cork in a fortnight." Finally, Ned Kelly is on course for the Champion Hurdle at Punchestown after justifying strong support in the 2m race. The attendance of 6,709 was up by nearly 2,000 on the corresponding meeting last year.
Filed by Shane Murray
