Alan Magee
Heavy ground key to a good Dream
Onenightidreamed (left) beats Sruthan and Fire Ship (right)
© Photo Healy Racing
Onenightidreamed relished the heavy ground when landing the Lincoln on his reappearance at the Curragh, and conditions were again in his favour when justifying favouritism in the Ard Glen Amethyst Stakes at Leopardstown.
Wayne Lordan had a willing partner when asking the 15/8 chance for maximum effort in the straight, and the four-year-old got up on the line in a thrilling finish to this Group 3.
The Tommy Stack-trained gelding had just a nose to spare over Sruthan with the front-running Fire Ship just pegged back in the closing stages another neck away in third.
Fozzy Stack said, "He needs soft ground. He's a tough horse and was the first off the bridle but he kept going. He'll be aimed at Listed and Group races but it's totally ground dependant where he goes."
The Stewards interviewed J.P. O'Brien, rider of Geoffrey Chaucer concerning his use of the whip in this race. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned. Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence the Stewards were of the opinion that the rider was in breach of Regulation 10.3(f), in that he used the whip with excessive force and having considered his record, suspended him for one race day.