Aidan O'Brien and Michael Kinane teamed up to take both divisions of the #16,000 Ballylinch Stud EBF Fillies Maiden at Gowran Park yesterday afternoon with the short-priced pair Fantasy Royale and Imagine.
Fantasy Royale made a successful debut when getting the better of a protracted final furlong tussle with Elaborate to score by a head. 'She is a big, scopey filly, and we will not rush her. She is in all the big races, and may run again this season,' said O'Brien.
Kinane recorded his 54th domestic win of the year half-an-hour later when Imagine, a Sadler's Wells half-sister to Generous, justified odds-on support by leading early in the straight for a two length verdict over Dance Till Dawn in division two. 'She is in both the Prix Marcel Boussac and the Fillies Mile at Ascot, and it is possible she will run in one of them,' said the Ballydoyle trainer.
Dermot Weld saddled his fourth consecutive winner for Hamdan Al Maktoum in the space of six days when Al Mamaaliq made a successful debut in the opening EBF Maiden. Pat Smullen's mount headed Sakina inside the final furlong to score by a length, and the Rosewell House trainer explained the belated appearance saying: 'He only came from Dubai in the spring.' He added: 'That was a pleasing performance, and I would expect him to win again.'
Smullen maintained his lead of seven over John Murtagh in the jockeys championship (64-57) as the latter was also on the mark with Calumet Spice in the EBF Nursery.
