Ocean Baroque and Declan McDonogh centre win for trainer Kieran Cotter.© Photo Healy Racing
Trainer Kieran Cotter, who has done so well with his juveniles this season, added to that tally when Ocean Baroque ran out a game winner of the opening Irish EBF Auction Series Maiden at Navan.
With three runs under his belt already, the Caravaggio gelding had plenty racing experience, something that became even more important given the testing conditions the 11 runners encountered here.
Smartly away from his high draw, Declan McDonogh's mount always raced prominently before quickening from the front over a furlong out. West Of Wichita kept him honest throughout, never being too far from the pace, before eventually going down by just half-a-length.
The Gerry Keane trained newcomer Not A Sinner caught the eye staying on nicely on her debut to finish a never nearer third.
Kieran Cotter said: “It’s nice to win his maiden and it’s well deserved. His second up the Curragh has worked out well and the key to him is that he needs a cut in the ground.
“Declan said that he’d be one to mind and run him with cut in the ground. Maybe something like the Birdcatcher he could be competitive in.
“It’s great to get a winner for Jim and Geraldine Ryan and John Kirkland. Jim actually purchased him at the sales so he’s worked out a relatively cheap buy (17,000 at Goffs).”
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
