18+ | Commercial Content | T&Cs apply | Wagering and T&Cs apply | Play Responsibly | Advertising Disclosure
icon
Michael Graham

Michael Graham

In-form Success Days eyes Irish Derby

Sun 10th May 2015, 16:18

Success Days comes home in glorious isolationSuccess Days comes home in glorious isolation
© Photo Healy Racing

Success Days continued his terrific form when making all in the Group Three Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial Stakes at Leopardstown.

In what was almost a replay of his victory in last months Ballysax Stakes over course and distance (a mile and two), the grey son of Jeremy set out to make it a true test before powering to victory in the home straight.

Shane Foley kicked him clear over two furlongs out as his three rivals came under pressure in their pursuit.

Ken Condon 's charge wasn't for stopping as he readily polished off the last furlong and a half with Foley keeping him on a true course.

The winning margin was recorded at 10 lengths for the 8/13 favourite who brought up his third win in-a-row this season. Summaya (2/1) kept on to take second.

Ken Condon said: "I've always said he's an undemonstrative colt but he's improving away quickly. He's very relaxed and has the temperament to keep improving. He obviously needs to but he keeps delivering.

"The Irish Derby is on the agenda. We'll see how the Dante works out and, if it came up soft, we would have to give serious consideration to supplementing him for Epsom. If it doesn't I'd be happy to sit and wait for the Irish Derby.

"He's still a bit green."

Shane Foley added: "As long as the rain keeps coming we'll be happy. He handles that ground so well and was very impressive again.

"He wasn't doing a stroke in front and I hadn't really to get stuck into him. He was entitled to win. You never feel like you are going fast enough on him.

"The mile and a half shouldn't be any problem to him. The big importance is the ground. He had a bit left in the tank."

Aidan O'Brien's Order Of St George was a non runner due to having a temperature.

Additional reporting by Alan Magee

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.