Aquilonius finds more to beat Captain Joy at the Curragh© Photo Healy Racing
A winner at Dundalk just a couple of days in advance of Christmas, Aquilonius obviously doesn't mind a bit of sun on his back either and he doubled Jim Bolger and Kevin Manning's score on the day at the Curragh when landing the concluding I.T.B.A. Supporting Irish Breeders Handicap.
Half-an-hour on from Glor Na Mara s win in the mile all-aged handicap, Aquilonius put in a gritty performance against his fellow three-year-olds, fending off strong challenges from a couple of sons of Dark Angel, Captain Joy and Dark Passion
Bolger said: "Little fish are sweet. He was supposed to be the third leg of a treble today but of course we didn't get to run the other one (Parish Hall).
"He'll (Aquilonius) probably have another run before going to the July Sales."
Johnny Murtagh got a 2 day ban and he was ordered to forfeit his riding fee having failed to weigh in having partnered Sindjara into fourth place.
Meanwhile the well-backed favourite, Chicago (lost action) finished last.
The Stewards received a report from the Clerk of the Scales, Mr Ion Hamilton, regarding the failure of J P Murtagh, rider of Sindjara (USA), placed fourth to weigh in after this race. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned who stated that it was an oversight on his part . Having considered the evidence, they disqualified Sindjara (USA) from fourth place, under Rule 230 (ii), and amended the result as follows.
Amended result:
Aquilonius placed 1st
Captain Joy placed 2nd
Dark Passion placed 3rd Slim Chance placed 4th
They furthermore found that J P Murtagh had failed to present himself to weigh-in as required under Rule 227 and therefore suspended him for two race days and ordered that he forfeit his riding fee. (GC & EM)
