South Pacific (nearest) and Barbados© Photo Healy Racing
Champion Trainer Aidan O'Brien completed a treble at Naas today as his South Pacific scored a short-head success over stablemate Barbados in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden.
O'Brien's earlier winners, debutante Monarch Of Egypt and last year's Group 1 heroine Magical were both ridden by Ryan Moore but it was the trainer's son Donnacha O'Brien who scuppered Moore's treble as he steered South Pacific to win.
Jockey O'Brien had previously received a heavy fall from South Pacific at Leopardstown a week ago, as the colt was brought down in a nasty incident as the runners approached the road-crossing. However the pair bounced back in style today as they eventually edged past pace-setting Barbados, who provided a persistent challenge to the line.
Trainer O'Brien later said “we like both horses. Ryan’s horse was still a bit green and Donnacha’s horse likes a lead.
“It was nice for Donnacha to get a winner on him after the fall (at Leopardstown last Saturday). He can go back to a handicap and Donnacha thinks that he might get a mile and a half.
“They went a good gallop, and going further would leave him with more options.”
Quotes from Alan Magee
