Copacabana Sands sheds maiden tag in Listed race Unlucky in running when a close-up fifth in a stronger grade at Leopardstown recently, the Michael O'Callaghan trained Copacabana Sands registered her first success when winning the Listed Owenstown Stud Stakes at Naas. Coming into this race a maiden after seven starts, the Sands Of Mali filly held strong claims from an official rating of 99. With Jamie Powell grabbing the box seat early, the 18/5 chance tracked the leaders, as Mataariki chased One Smack Mac. Closing up over two-furlongs out, Powell found himself trapped in a pocket as Dunum loomed up on his outside. Biding his time, the former champion apprentice switched Copacabana Sands to the centre of the track once the gaps opened. Chasing down the front two inside the final furlong, Copacabana Sands got to Mataariki over 100 yards out, before heading One Smack Mac close home. “Luckily Jamie manoeuvred his way out,” said O’Callaghan. “To be fair to him for riding his first stakes winner, and to be an apprentice still with a claim, he was very cool and gave her a great ride. “He pulled his stick through at the right time when he got out and she’s hit the line strong. “She jumped and travelled and everything panned out exactly how he said he wanted to rider her. “It’s a huge day for the filly as she has a nice pedigree and now she’s broke her maiden in a Listed race. “She’s shown that she has ability before now. We only picked her up in February and she’s done nothing but go from strength to strength, and improve. “The ground today was beautiful, I actually walked it the other night and was happy enough to declare and see what it was like today. “Given that we haven’t had rain in a long time it was beautiful. She probably prefers an ease so it’s testament to the staff here and the job they did. “It’s also testament to Justin (O’Hanlon) who has recently come on board for race planning. This race was not on my radar and Justin put it forward. Plaudits must go to him for picking this race. “I’m delighted for everyone. “She tends to race a little bit enthusiastically, hence why she wears a hood. She wears a grackle noseband and chifney bit. That’s the best she’s been. “That’s the way you want to ride races, one behind the pace, follow things through and keep them simple. “She’s out of Montjeu mare and we do think that a mile is probably her optimum trip, she ran through the line well there, but she has a bit of class.” Additional reporting by Gary Carson.
