Dutch strikes Gold for Roche and Meade

Dutch Gold benefitted from the step up in trip to run out a very easy winner of the opening Irish Stallion Farms EBF Median Auction Maiden at Down Royal.

The most experienced runner in the race with six previous runs, the Noel Meade trained colt looked a different horse here over 2f further than he ever encountered before.

Settled in a prominent position just off leaders Right Now and Hutton Glen jockey Leigh Roche moved up to deliver his challenge early in the straight.

Once asked to quicken, Dutch Gold showed a real turn of foot to go right away and put eight lengths between himself and his rivals.

Noel Meade said "Dylan (Browne McMonagle), who rode the favourite (Right Now), rode him the last time over a mile and said to me to go out to a mile and a quarter, and we were thinking of going back to seven. He said he needs a trip and, if he quickens up, he could be different (class).

"I was worried about the ground, but sure he loved the ground and the trip.

"He had a couple of very good runs as a two-year-old, but we were getting a little bit frustrated that he wasn't as good as we thought he might have been.

"I had half a notion I was going to geld him after today, but we will probably leave him with them now for another while. He settled down well today.

"Unfortunately, Eamonn (Scanlon) whose name is still on the card has passed away. Anna, his wife, is very enthusiastic so Albert Dravins and Anna Scanlon are the owners."

Additional reporting by Michael Graham