Sir Maximilian (red and white) comes through to lead close home© Photo Healy Racing
The Tim Pitt trained Sir Maximilian landed his second big pot of the summer in Ireland as he took the Listed Abergwaun Stakes under Stevie Donohoe.
The five-year-old son of Royal Applause won the Rockingham Handicap at the Curragh last month and he since finished seventh of twenty-four in the Stewards’ Cup at Goodwood just last Saturday.
Turned out again quickly he was sent off the 2/1 second favourite having opened at 7/2 this morning and at 9/4 on-course.
Towards the rear for most he was pushed along from two furlongs out, improving into third when ridden a furlong from home.
He got to the front inside the final 50 yards and went on from there to score by three parts of a length. Abstraction hit the front over a furlong out but he couldn’t hold off the winner and had to settle for second at 16/1 under Seamie Heffernan for Sarah Dawson.
Last year’s winner Russian Soul went off the 13/8 favourite and he was a further neck back in third under Shane Foley for Mick Halford.
Tim Pitt said afterwards: "I've more made in two wins in Ireland than I have in ten years at home!
"He is a very good, we are only getting to know him better and five furlongs is his trip.
"He actually ran a better race in the Rockingham than tonight and the stiffer incline at the Curragh suited him better so he had to it grit out it.
"The ground is as quick as he would want it. He will come back to the Curragh for the Flying Five and then go for the Prix de L´abbaye (at Longchamp)."
STEWARDS REPORT
The Stewards enquired into possible interference in the closing stages involving Abstraction, ridden by J.A. Heffernan, placed second, Russian Soul, ridden by S. Foley, placed third and My Good Brother ridden by C.T. Keane, unplaced, where it appeared Russian Soul and My Good Brother suffered interference, and My Good Brother was forced to check. Evidence was heard from the riders concerned. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards made no alteration to the judge's placings and took no other action other than to advise both J.A. Heffernan and S. Foley to ride with more care in the future
Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes
