THE human achievement outshone the equine performances at the Curragh on Sunday as Colin Keane became the winning-most jockey in an Irish flat season, his double on the day taking his total to 128 with three weeks of the season remaining.
Power Under Me (100) was the first leg of the double as the Ger Lyons-trained three-year-old bounced back to the form of his second to Gustavus Weston over course and distance. Second-placed Teresa Mendoza (95) was also behind on that occasion.
The son of Mehmas clocked the fastest overall time on the straight track and covered the ground from the intersection of the courses to the line in 40.59 seconds. Teresa Mendoza was not far behind with a closing split of 40.68 seconds.
Floyd impressive
The best comparison race was Keane’s second winner Pretty Boy Floyd (90) who, with blinkers reapplied, made all the running to land the five-furlong handicap.
Sarah Dawson’s gelding clocked an impressive 39.35 seconds from the intersection and looks all set to win again this season if presented with his ideal conditions of five furlongs on soft ground when wearing headgear.
Shelly Banks (84) also finished to good effect, stopping the clock at 39.15 seconds. A closer inspection of her form reveals cut in the ground also brings out the best in the Fast Company-filly.
Line Out fast
The Irish Cesarewitch did not reach the heights of the British equivalent although it still represented a meritorious performance on the clock.
Line Out (95) benefited from the fitting of cheekpieces and recorded a faster time when adjusted for distance than the two-year-olds in the Listed Staffordstown Stakes.
John Kiely’s gelding was one of only a handful of runners who were still travelling as the field swung for home, allowing Shane Foley to pick his gaps without breaking stride.
The nine-year-old asserted his authority over the field with a closing three-furlong sectional of 37.77 seconds which was only a second slower than impressive winner Limiti Di Greccio (36.70) who covered considerably less ground.
Maze Runner (92), who crept into the race at the 11th hour, finished off to similar effect clocking 37.79 seconds with his inside passage slightly troublesome. However, as the six-year-old failed to hold the late challenge of the rallying Turnpike Trip (92) (38.03 seconds) for second it did not prove costly.
The closers from the back were Lynwood Gold (90) and Celestial Horizon (88) with the former adding yet another eye-catching performance to his profile as he closed off in 37.81 seconds, despite meeting with interference from Presto as he fell back through the field. Celestial Horizon was slightly slower after charting a course from the rail to make his challenge on the outside, stopping the clock at 38.20 seconds.
Eyecatchers
Royal Crusade (105), Wednesday, October 6th Kempton – ran out a convincing winner with cheekpieces fitted on his first taste of the all-weather.
Does He Know (147), Friday, October 8th Chepstow – although the overall race time was the slowest of the three over course and distance, the final circuit was rapid in comparison.
Fidelio Vallis (146), Saturday, October 9th Chepstow – jumped brilliantly and is sure to win when the emphasis is more on speed. Kempton and Wincanton have suited in the past.
War Lord (133), Sunday, October 10th, Newton Abbot – jumped well on chase debut and will handle winter ground. Sharp left-handed tracks seem to suit best.
Top two-year-old 2021 ratings
Colts
Horse Rating
Native Trail 118
Point Lonsdale 114
Bayside Boy 114
Perfect Power 114
Castle Star 112
Coroebus 111
Luxembourg 105+
Fillies
Horse Rating
Inspiral 113
Tenebrism 113
Discoveries 111
Flotus 110
Agartha 109
Sandrine 108
Zain Claudette 108