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1,2 for Ballydoyle as Carracci makes the breakthrough

Carracci and Seamie Heffernan (inside) lead home Farnborough and Emmet McNamaraCarracci and Seamie Heffernan (inside) lead home Farnborough and Emmet McNamara
© Photo Healy Racing

Carracci made the breakthrough on his second start, justifying market support in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden.

Fifth of 20 on debut at the Curragh last month, the Aidan O'Brien trained Quality Road colt was sent off the 9/4 second favourite this afternoon from early shows of 7/2.

Out of a half-sister to Giant's Causeway, the bay victor was settled behind the leaders by Seamie Heffernan, coming with his challenge on the inner from the two furlong pole.

Ridden over a furlong from home, he soon gained a narrow advantage and had to be kept up to his work to see off front-running stable companion Farnborough by half-a-length.

The runner-up was returned at 14/1 under Emmet McNamara, while Shadowed who was sent off the even money favourite, had no excuses, two-and-a-half lengths back in third.

"He's very big and he felt weak," Heffernan revealed.

"I'd say he has a bit of class and I'm a fan of the Quality Roads', I'm a big fan of them. It is good that they are winning as two-year-olds.

"I think he has a future, I like their battling qualities.

"When you are turning in, it (strong wind) gets them unbalanced."

The winner holds an entry in the Tattersalls Irish 2000 Guineas at the Curragh next May.

Additional reporting by Michael Graham

1st
9/4
Tote €3.25 €1.10
2nd
0.5L
14/1
€4.00
3rd
2.5L
1/1Fav
€1.02
4th
1.25L
33/1
About Donal Murphy
Donal graduated from Maynooth University in 2010 with a BBS in Equine Business and since attained a diploma in Sports Journalism from Dublin Business School. He holds a variety of roles in the horse racing industry, reporting for the Press Association and p2p.ie, while also working for SIS and the Tote. From Wexford, he is a keen runner and has completed over 100 parkruns at various locations around the country.