JOSEPH O’Brien continued his flying start to the season when saddling a one-two in the featured Al Shira’aa Irish EBF Blue Wind Stakes at Naas last Saturday.

Caroline Street emerged on top in the Group 3 contest after weaving her way through the field under Dylan Browne McMonagle.

The 11/2 shot was held up in the 10-furlong contest before being asked to take closer order in the straight.

She had to negotiate traffic before hitting the front inside the final furlong. Stablemate Lumiere Rock kept on well to press in second in the closing stages but could only get to within half a length.

“It was a great result, they are two very nice fillies,” said O’Brien. “I thought Lumiere Rock, carrying a penalty, hit the line really well and she looks like she’s crying out for a mile and a half.

“I was quite impressed with Caroline Street. When Dylan asked for a bit of gas at the bottom of the straight he was nearly taking her back then again when he was waiting for room.

“It was a lovely ride, he was cool. We were going a mile and a quarter and she’s a No Nay Never so we were riding her patiently and he gave her a lovely confident ride.

“We might look at the Pretty Polly and we’ll have a look at the Irish 1000 Guineas.

“There is the Saratoga Oaks in the autumn that would be a nice target for her, over a mile and a quarter, but she will have to go somewhere between now and then.”

Smart prospect

Donnacha O’Brien introduced a smart looking prospect in Devious in the opening Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden on the card.

The Starspangledbanner colt was a well-backed 11/5 favourite in the five-furlong contest and travelled strongly to lead a furlong and a half from home.

He picked up well, for Gavin Ryan, to settle matters passing the furlong pole and went on to post a two-length win over the staying on Mr Saturday.

“He’s always worked like a fair one. He shouldn’t be that fast being that big and strong, I’d say he’s a proper one,” said O’Brien, who trains the winner for Atlantic Thoroughbreds.

“I was thinking coming here today that we could look at the Coventry but showing the speed that he did we could look at the Norfolk maybe instead.

“We have nothing that can take him off the bridle at home, he’s just natural.”

Rallied

Aidan O’Brien also got on the scoresheet when Johannes Brahms rallied to claim the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Race on his debut a couple of races later.

The Siyouni colt went to post a 5/6 shot under Seamus Heffernan and made the early running in the conditions event, over just shy of six furlongs.

He was headed and pushed along two furlongs from home and showed a good attitude to lead again in the closing stages and beat Tourist by half a length for the Tabor, Smith, Magnier, Westerberg, Brant ownership.

Stable representative Chris Armstrong said: “He’s a smashing colt, he’s got plenty of size about him and has a lot of class and speed.

“He showed a bit of greenness throughout, at home they haven’t been off the bridle, and the penny hasn’t dropped with this fella yet. There is a lot to like about him.

“We’ll try and get one more run into him before Ascot and he’s one to look forward to.”

Hill strikes again for Hassetts

HARRY’S Hill has proven a wonderful servant for Martin Hassett and struck for the sixth time in landing the Danny Trundle Handicap over the minimum trip.

Wayne Hassett, a grand-nephew of the trainer, tracked the leaders on the stands’ side before hitting the front two furlongs from home on the 15/2 shot. He kept on strongly in the closing stages to post a length-and-a-half win over Lokada for the Tipp Ramblers Partnership.

The winning rider said: “That’s my second winner, I’m flying thank God. He was running well on soft ground, and that isn’t really for him. Coming up here it was better ground so I thought he had a chance today and as soon as I gave him the word ‘go’ he flew home.”

Dandyville also notched the sixth win of his career when landing a hat-trick on his return to action in the Declan Landy Fencing Handicap, over just shy of six furlongs.

The Natalia Lupini-trained gelding, owned by Dr J Syndicate, had won twice at Dundalk in November and was 3/1 favourite to continue his winning ways.

Billy Lee was prominent in the far group before delivering his mount to lead inside the final furlong and record a two-and-a-quarter length win.

“Billy gave him a great ride and the horse was in good form. He was fresh and well at home,” said Lupini.

“We’re delighted to have him in the yard and he looks like a nice prospect to step up to premier handicap level. Something like the Scurry would be the aim this year or the Bold Lad.”

In the three-year-old handicap over the same trip Lord Massusus was another to continue a run of fine form.

The Joe Murphy-trained gelding, in the colours of John Bourke, went off 10/3 favourite but had to overcome traffic to get the job done.

Gary Carroll got a clear run inside the final furlong as his mount lead in the final 100 yards to beat Cash Or Crypto by half a length.

“Gary said when he got him out of trouble, they all got first run on him,” said Murphy. “We’ll make an entry for the Jersey now, seven would be ideal. He’s very versatile, soft or good. There aren’t many options before Ascot. We have a premier handicap at the Curragh but he’s going to be around 105 so I suppose we’ll go listed.”

Variant takes hold

THE most impressive winner on the card was the Jim Bolger-trained New Variant, who streaked clear to record a 10-length success in the ALTO Equine Building Solution Rated Race.

Luke McAteer tracked Signora Bellissima as the front-two raced clear in the 10-furlong contest.

The 9/4 shot took over the lead early in the straight and kicked clear over a furlong out to secure the spoils in fine style.

McAteer said: “I wanted to keep it honest as I know my lad stays. I was always happy, he settled well today and when I straightened up I just let him lengthen.He won plenty easy so I’d be very happy.”

Mashia looks another nice prospect after a winning debut in the mile Al Shira’aa Down Syndrome Centre Maiden.

The Dermot Weld-trained filly came with a strong run to lead inside the final furlong. Chris Hayes kept the Aga Khan filly up to her work for a length-and-a-quarter win at 10/1. “She’s been working well and a filly to look forward to,” said Weld. “She’s potentially a stakes filly.”