Different horse, same result as Sugar Island wins for O'Brien and Moore In the absence of odds-on stable companion Signora, Ryan Moore switched to Sugar Island, who made a winning introduction when staying on strongly to land the opening Sycamore Lodge Equine Hospital Irish EBF Fillies Maiden at the Curragh. The Aidan O'Brien trained daughter of Dubawi boasts a great pedigree, being a half-sister to a Group 3 runner-up in Mother Nature. On a filly bred for stamina, Moore was anxious to make this a decent test. Prominent from stalls, the 9/2 chance tracked leader Punica Granatum before coming through to challenge two furlongs out. Pushed along to lead at the furlong pole, Sugar Island kept on well inside the final furlong to hold on for a half-length win over the late closer Saint Agatha. Aidan O’Brien said: “She was really just ready to start off. Ryan said she was green but still won nicely and he liked her. “She’ll stay a mile and a quarter next year. “She’d have no problem going into a Group race over a mile and you’d like to give her another run before then. “I thought she’d be still a maiden after this and then we could run her in another maiden. Sometimes it’s easier on them when they can have two runs in maidens.” Additional reporting by Alan Magee.
