JOSEPH O’Brien added to his ever growing and increasingly impressive big race haul as Voce Del Palio and Declan McDonogh got the money in the third edition of the €300,000 Irish EBF Ballyhane Stakes.

A maximum field of 24 lined up for one of the richest two-year-old prizes on offer in Ireland this year and Joseph O’Brien understandably fielded a four-strong challenge headed by this son of Bated Breath.

Although he was allowed to go off at 28/1 this colt boasted a rating of 95, which entitled him to get involved.

In addition, he had looked a nice prospect when winning at Roscommon earlier in the season and he wasn’t disgraced in being beaten by less than five lengths into fourth in last month’s Group 3 Tyros Stakes.

Favourable draw

It turned out that Voce Del Palio had been handed an especially favourably far rail draw in stall three with that part of the track unquestionably the place to be all day.

After tanking through the race, it was just a question as to whether things would open up sufficiently for Declan McDonogh to be able to mount a meaningful challenge.

As it happened, various rivals gave way and Voce Del Palio got into the clear in ample time to lead inside the last furlong before getting home by a length and three-parts from Matilda Picotte who had cut out the pace on the near side.

Disrespectful

“He’s been a good horse and I thought his price was a bit disrespectful to him. Declan gave him a lovely ride and he handled the drop back to six furlongs really well,” said the trainer. “He was always going to get the trip well and was dropping back from group company. I’d say he will head on to the Goffs Sportsman’s Race next month.

“The race is always a very strong race. State Of Rest was fourth in it a couple of years ago. It’s a fantastic race and credit to Ballyhane, the EBF and everyone who puts the money into it.”

After failing to fire at Galway on Saturday, the Tom Cleary-trained Kodiac Prince proved an entirely different proposition in the Tote-sponsored mile handicap where he sprang a 20/1 surprise under the trainer’s son, Rory.

For much of the straight, it seemed as though the front-running Church Mountain would cling on to prevail but he could do no more inside the distance and as he gave best a dogged Kodiac Prince came through for a half-length success over the staying-on Eighty Eight.

“We’ve been looking for a cut in the ground all year and we’ve been struggling to get into a race with him. Unless it’s a three-year-old it is hard to get a horse rated between 65 and 73 into races,” declared Tom Cleary.

Timely success for Bolger juvenile

THE card began with a couple of smart performances on the two-year-old front and Jim Bolger could have much to look forward to with Gan Teorainn who got off the mark at the second attempt in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Maiden over a mile.

On the day the trainer’s brother, Paddy, was laid to rest, this daughter of Saxon Warrior was returned at 4/1 to build on a debut second at Down Royal last month.

Kevin Manning kept the Ennistown Stud-owned and bred filly close to the pace and from around two furlongs out Gan Teorainn was pressing the 11/10 favourite Dame Kiri for the lead.

It wasn’t long before the Bolger filly had the market leader in trouble and she went to the line with purpose to defeat the barrier trial second, Perseids, by two and a half lengths. Dame Kiri was a further neck away in third.

“She did that well. She had a very good run over seven in Down Royal where there were a few experienced horses in the race that just got her on her head down the hill but she finished out very well that day,” stated Manning.

“I think whatever she does as a two-year-old is going to be a bonus, I think she’s a real three-year-old in the making. She has a lovely way of going.”

Aidan O’Brien also has much to look forward to with Denmark who made a winning start to his career in the Weatherbys GSB EBF (C&G) Maiden over the same trip as the fillies half an hour earlier.

This son of Camelot and a multiple Group 1-placed half-sister to the top-class Bright Sky looked distinctly green beforehand and gave the impression he would be all the better for this run.

Indeed, Ryan Moore’s mount was being pushed along in third just under half a mile out but he got stronger and stronger as the race wore on.

The 7/2 shot went to the front at the furlong pole and went on to defeat Warrior Line by three and a quarter lengths. He looks a colt of some potential for next year.

“He was just very green and babyish but I’d say he’s a lovely horse. He’s a fine big colt. We’ll go gently with him and give him a little bit of time now,” declared the trainer.

Lupini and Lordan a deadly combination

NATALIA Lupini and Wayne Lordan’s incredible strike-rate together in the ARKequine ACME Nursery Handicap as Dontspoilasale credited the trainer-rider combination with an eighth winner from 19 runners this season.

This 75-rated son of Kuroshio had shown plenty of ability on his first three runs and made a nice transition to handicap company. After racing on the pace he was on top from a furlong out and went on to succeed by a length and three-parts. The winner carries the colours of the Seven Stars Loungers Syndicate.

“He’s a nice little horse and he’s tough and genuine. The syndicate are all local to the yard and it’s lovely for them to have a winner, they’re delighted. We would love to come back here later in the year for the Birdcatcher,” commented the trainer.

Gary Carroll displayed most impressive tactical acumen in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Handicap which was unquestionably the difference between victory and defeat for the James McAuley-owned and -trained Sister Rosetta.

This 12/1 shot was drawn in stall 11 but she broke alertly and Carroll made a definite move to get her across to the far rail. From there she cut out the running and then kept on splendidly to fend off Princess Sela by a short head.

“When I saw Gary heading over to the other side I said ‘where’s he going’ but he did his homework and said there was virgin ground over there,” reported the trainer.

“When we got her off Ger Lyons, his brother Shane was adamant once we got her wind done and she got a bit of confidence she’d be grand. When we got her wind done there was no improvement for a while but it was just a case she just needed to get confidence and realise she couldn’t flip her palate.”

Johnny Levins now lies within one winner of his best seasonal tally (13) as Showmolina bolted up in the Paragon Bloodstock Apprentice Handicap over just short of six furlongs.

Events in the previous race won by Sister Rosetta suggested that space could be at a premium on the far rail but from a stall one drawn Showmolina was untroubled at all stages.

After taking his time up to halfway, the 3/1 favourite had clear running every step of the way and cruised to the front for Joey Sheridan a quarter of a mile out, winning by two and a half lengths from Born Invincible for the Saffron Star Syndicate.