Michael Graham
The Caribbean has his day in the sun
The Caribbean shades it from Queen Of Thunder, obscured
© Photo Healy Racing
Aidan O'Brien's The Caribbean overturned odds-on-favourite Queen Of Thunder in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Rated Race over seven furlongs in Cork.
With Miss Black Jack and Uncle Albert ruled out, this field was reduced to four runners and the market was all about Queen Of Thunder who went off 4/6 favourite.
The Caribbean led narrowly inside the final quarter of a mile and his jockey, Seamie Heffernan, was first to go for the whip, however, his mount was game when challenged by Queen Of Thunder a furlong out.
The Caribbean (9/2) refused to relent and hit the line a head up on Queen Of Thunder.
Stable representative Chris Armstrong said: "His form is in the book, he has run in some good races and we thought after his last run at the Curragh that a step up to seven furlongs would suit him. The conditions for this race worked out nicely for him and he has come along physically and mentally with every run.
"We might go for something like the Star Appeal Stakes now at Dundalk - it is seven (furlongs) around a bend, he appreciates a quick surface and he is progressing nicely."
This doubled The Caribbean's career total having won his maiden over six furlongs at Fairyhouse in July.
Additional reporting by Tom Weekes