A wise man couldnt have predicted it, but Vinnie Roe quite remarkably went off joint favourite with Brian Boru for the Irish Field-sponsored St. Leger at the Curragh on Saturday. However, in customary fashion, as if he knew there were doubters in the crowd, Dermot Welds record breaker belied any apparent lack of confidence in most emphatic style to land his fourth consecutive running of the race.
Unsurprisingly for such a successful combination, Pat Smullen had the utmost of fate in his partner as he struck for home early in the straight, and the contest was soon as good as over as the six-year-old maintained a powerful gallop, crossing the line two and a half lengths in front.
Brian Boru filled the runner-up spot, but in truth this was a one horse affair and the crowd that assembled around the winners enclosure gave a reception befitting such a marvellous horse. Dermot Weld didnt hide his admiration for the son of Definite Article, saying, 'hes a wonderfully brave and genuine horse and this is a special day. Words fail me.
'Hes had training problems but its just old age catching up a little, hes a bit stiffer in the mornings than than he used to be.' On future plans he elaborated, 'well see how he comes out of the race and discuss it with the owners before deciding whether or not hell go for the Melbourne Cup.'
Cashmans go 8/1 from 14s about Vinnie Roe stepping up from his fourth placing of 2002 in that Australian November highlight. The Cork firm also make it 6/1 a five-timer next year.
Meanwhile, the Group 3 Ballygallon Stud Renaissance Stakes was the main supporting event and this one went for export. English sprinters do very well on their raids to this country, and after an unlucky-in-running fourth placing in the Group 1 Stanleybet Cup last time, Royal Millennium gained some compensation here.
Held up in rear by Ted Durcan, Mick Channons 7/2 favourite made headway into third a furlong out, led inside the final furlong and kept on well to beat fellow cross-channel raider, Moss Vale by half a length. Channon was an absentee at Newbury. The same trainer/jockey partnership will be represented by Tournedos in the very valuable Irish Breeders Foal Levy Stakes on tomorrows (Sundays) card.
One winner often leads to another, and so it proved for Lusk, Co. Dublin trainer, Adrian McGuinness who had his second of the week when Jacks Estate came back to form to gain the tenth success of his career in the sprint handicap.
This fellows half-brother Victram had been in the number one spot at Roscommon on Monday last, and here Christy Geoghegans mount got on top inside the final furlong to beat Moon Unit by three parts of a length. The nine-year-old now has the Joe McGrath Handicap (a race he won last year) back at this course next month as his target.
First foal of smart sprinter, Lady Alexander, Alexander Queen made it third time lucky in the opening maiden. Kevin Manning hit the front aboard Jim Bolgers filly about a furlong out and the 8/1 shot beat Coseadrom a shade cosily, one length being the distance between them at the line.
Live In Fear, well-backed at morning prices, went off the 100/30 favourite, but Tommy Stacks first-timer could fare no better than thirteenth. Meanwhile, anticipated market-leader, Lightwood Lady finished fifth and she was reported to be in season by her trainer afterwards.
Babble On deservedly scored a convincing win at Galway earlier in the month, and an 11Ib hike in the weights failed to stop Seamus Faheys mare following up in the mile two furlong handicap under Padraig Beggy.
Bocaccio landed a well-documented gamble back in July, before pulling a shoe off when a beaten favourite last time, and Michael Grassicks charge made it two from three in the mile handicap in the hands of Niall McCullagh.
Virginia Waters stepped up on her debut to easily take the closing maiden for Aidan O'Brien and Jamie Spencer.
