Tag Archive for: Aga Khan

Weld and Aga Khan earn Leopardstown compensation

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The Aga Khan may have been narrowly denied Qipco 1000 Guineas success at Newmarket, but there was at least some compensation at Leopardstown, where the owner enjoyed a double.

Whereas the vanquished Rowley Mile runner-up Tahiyra has already proven herself as a top-class operator, trainer Dermot Weld and the owner could have another on their hands in Azazat, who built on an encouraging third at the Dublin track last month to win the Captain Dara Fitzpatrick Memorial Maiden in impressive fashion.

The Camelot filly, sent off the 4-6 favourite, relished the move up to a mile-and-a-half and holds some exciting options moving forward, with entries in the Betfred Oaks and Irish equivalent at the Curragh. Ascot’s Ribblesdale Stakes is also a possibility, with her sights set to be raised on her next start.

“Colin was very happy with her,” said Kris Weld, assistant trainer to his father. “We took a gamble on two fronts, firstly taking on the colts and secondly, the rain overnight turning the ground close to heavy wasn’t ideal for her.

“They are getting through it and the timing of the race suited well, so we let her take her chance.

“She’s entered in the Ribblesdale and the Oaks. We’ll take it step by step and maybe a race like the Naas Oaks Trial might fit in her programme. She’s a nice filly going forward.”

Also in the colours of the renowned owner, Johnny Murtagh’s Sharlouk (6-5 favourite) broke his duck at the third time of asking in the opening John R Fitzpatrick Agricultural Contractor Maiden.

Sharlouk ridden by Ben Coen wins The John R Fitzpatrick Agricultural Contractor Maiden at Leopardstown
Sharlouk ridden by Ben Coen wins The John R Fitzpatrick Agricultural Contractor Maiden at Leopardstown (Brian Lawless/PA)

“He’s improving and probably didn’t stay the distance the last time. He travels like a very good horse in behind. He’s still learning,” said Murtagh.

“He’s a big, gross horse so I think he’ll improve with a bit of racing, but he has an engine.

“I’ve no firm plans but I’ll speak with Pat (Downes, racing manager) and the team.

“He cruises very well and, being by Zoustar, you would like to thing he would handle better ground as well.”

However, the owner missed out on a treble when Aidan O’Brien’s Warm Heart (13-8 favourite) claimed the other maiden on the card – the 10-furlong Clayton Hotel Leopardstown Fillies Maiden – by a length-and-a- quarter.

Warm Heart ridden by jockey Wayne Lordan (right) wins the Clayton Hotel Leopardstown Fillies Maiden
Warm Heart ridden by jockey Wayne Lordan (right) wins the Clayton Hotel Leopardstown Fillies Maiden (Brian Lawless/PA)

She was cut from 25-1 from 33-1 by Betfair for the Oaks and connections hope she could become a stakes performer in time.

“She’s a lovely filly and had two nice runs in maidens,” said Chris Armstrong, representing O’Brien.

“Coming here we thought she’d be very competitive stepping up in trip and Wayne (Lordan) gave her a lovely ride. It was a proper-run maiden from start to finish.

“She is a filly with plenty of class and one to look forward to over that trip. She could get a bit further, but there are plenty of lovely races for her at a mile and a quarter.

“Hopefully she is a stakes filly in the making.”

Zarinsk and Power Under Me at the double for Lyons

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Zarinsk dictated affairs to run out a convincing winner the Cornelscourt Stakes as Ger Lyons and Colin Keane enjoyed a big-race double at Leopardstown.

The daughter of Kodiac was a classy operator at two and was not disgraced on her return here when third behind Aidan O’Brien’s Classic contender Never Ending Story over seven furlongs in the “Priory Belle” 1,000 Guineas Trial Stakes – form significantly boosted by the effort of runner-up Matilda Picotte in the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket.

Upped to a mile for this Group Three event, the Juddmonte-owned filly was quickly to the fore under and once Keane kicked for home rounding the home bend the 11-2 shot soon drew clear of the chasing pack who were unable to reel her in close home.

“She’s honest and is surprisingly light compared to what she looks like. I don’t think ground is any issue to her. That ground is horrible, good ground would be no problem to her,” said Lyons.

“It’s pure heart that keeps her doing that. I’d love her to relax more and help him get it a bit easier.

“It’s been all about black type for her and we’ll go Group Two with the hope that she matures into a horse for here on (Irish) Champions Weekend.

“As Colin says if she is going to be at the very top table it might be over in America.”

In the very next race the trainer and jockey combined to land the Group Three Amethyst Stakes with Power Under Me (9-1).

Power Under Me (front) ridden by jockey Colin Keane wins the Amethyst Stakes at Leopardstown
Power Under Me (front) ridden by jockey Colin Keane wins the Amethyst Stakes at Leopardstown (Brian Lawless/PA)

A Listed winner over course and distance last October, the five-year-old came home with a late rattle to down Fozzy Stack’s You Send Me by half a length.

“That’s more like it, but Colin said it turned into a bit of a sprint which probably suited him and maybe gives a false reading on the horse,” Lyons continued.

“He’s probably between trips, not an out-an-out miler and not quick enough for the proper sprints anymore.

“He loves the ground and you can see that with his confirmation and his action. I thought that type of race was within his remit but his last two runs didn’t fill me with any confidence.

“Seven furlongs to a mile and Listed or Group Three is his thing. You will never see him on anything quicker than good to soft.

“The only negative is that Vincent (Gaul, owner) is not here today as he’s at home at a house party. He loves his racing and it’s a pity he’s not here to see him.”

The victory brought up a 107-1 treble on the card for Keane having also won aboard Dermot Weld’s Azazat earlier on the card.