Quarter Moon claims Moyglare

Quarter Moon swooped late to justify favouritism in the Group One Moyglare Stud Stakes at The Curragh today to give Aidan O`Brien his 14th Group One winner of the current campaign.

Held up for a late run by Michael Kinane, Quarter Moon sprinted up the favoured stand rails just as her well-backed stablemate, Sophisticat, was headed in the centre of the course by Dress To Thrill, in the colours of the sponsors.

'She is some traveller - she only raced from a furlong down and probably learned a lot more again today,' said O`Brien.

In a race in which David Loder`s 5-1 chance Seba faded dramatically to finish only ninth, Sophisticat looked the more likely scorer of the O`Brien pair when Seamus Heffernan sent the American-bred to the front with Dress To Thrill making a gallant attempt to beat a wide draw as well.

But Kinane had bided his time and produced the favourite with a perfectly-timed challenge.

The Sadler`s Wells filly responded immediately to a crack of the whip to hit the front in the dying strides for a three-quarter-length verdict that augurs well for the future.

'Quarter Moon has always looked special and, although she is in all the good races this season, she may not run again. We will just see how she takes today`s race first,' added O`Brien.

Kinane said later that 'it was always the plan to settle Quarter Moon and come late'.

William Hill quote Quarter Moon at 16-1 (from 33-1) for the 1000 Guineas.

Champion jockey Pat Smullen, who rode the runner-up Dress To Thrill, said he got 'a lovely run' through the race but was unable to beat his high draw (14 from 17 runners).

'The winner had a huge advantage coming up the stand rails. My filly has run a marvellous race and there`s plenty to look forward to with her,' added Smullen.

Miss Beabea was fourth under Willie Supple, having been runner-up previously to another O`Brien star, Johannesburg, in the Phoenix Stakes at Leopardstown.

'Miss Beabea travelled nicely and had every chance. Maybe she just didn`t get home in the last 100 yards,' said Supple.

Richard Hughes, who did best of the English runners on the fifth-placed Bright And Clear for the Barry Hills stable, thought it was a top class contest.

'It was a proper pace and a really good race. Bright And Clear was off the bit at halfway, but ran on late and is certainly one to look forward to over a mile or more next year,' said Hughes.

Miss Beabea`s trainer, Kevin Prendergast, had better luck in the next race, the Irish Cambridgeshire, as 10-1 chance Osprey Ridge got up in the last couple of strides to defeat the front-running 25-1 chance Montpelier Street.

Weld and jockey Smullen had doubled up in the early races at the Curragh as Steaming Home and Chill Seeking stepped up on their previous performances for decisive victories.

Steaming Home (7-4) reversed previous Tipperary form with second favourite Minashki in the Listed Go And Go Round Tower Stakes and could run next in the Cheveley ParkStakes at Newmarket.

The double was completed half an hour later when Chill Seeking landed the Lisieux Rose Maiden.