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Michael Graham

Michael Graham

Oxx eyes Listed race for Born To Be

Tue 2nd Aug 2016, 18:05

Born To Be, second right, leads them home in CorkBorn To Be, second right, leads them home in Cork
© Photo Healy Racing

Born To Be made it third time lucky when powering away from his rivals to land the opening six furlong juvenile maiden in Cork.

John Oxx 's charge settled behind the leaders and was driven a furlong and a half down by Declan McDonogh to produce the goods.

The pair came through to hit the front approaching the furlong pole and galloped on strongly to win by a length and three parts at 7/1. Mack Attack on debut for Ger Lyons, kept on nicely for second at 10/1 while Ice Canyon (14/1) pipped the 9/10 favourite De Boss Man for third place.

Jockey Declan McDonogh, fresh from five wins at the Galway Festival, said: "Everything went wrong in Naas when I rode him the last day. He got buffeted about from both sides. I ended up pulling him up as he got badly hampered. Just draw a line through that.

"He did everything right today. I got a grand toe into the race from Pat Smullen's (Impart) and just when I switched him out he quickened good and put the race to bed."

John Oxx added: "He ran well the first day at Roscommon but was too free at Naas and tired because he was too free.

"The six (furlongs) was probably ideal for him and they went fast enough to settle him and it was a much improved run. He is happy with a little ease in the ground.

"If he settled I think he could be nice enough over seven and there is a Listed race for him at Tipperary in a few weeks next."

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes

1st
7/1
Tote €10.40 €3.20
2nd
1.75L
10/1
€3.60
3rd
1.5L
14/1
€4.40
4th
shd
9/10Fav
About Michael Graham
Michael has worked in horse racing journalism for more than 15 years, having also written a weekly betting column on Gaelic football and hurling for a newspaper. He is involved in writing the My Racing Story features on this website. He spent a year in South Africa completing a Diploma in Business Administration and also studied Newspaper Journalism in Belfast. He enjoys playing 5-a-side football on a regular basis.