Lucky Vega a 1st Group 1 winner for owner Zhang Yuesheng

Lucky Vega took apart the Group One Keeneland Phoenix Stakes field at the Curragh to earn a 16/1 first show quote for next year’s 2000 Guineas.

Paddy Power go that price about Jessica Harrington’s exciting son of Lope De Vega, after he turned around the form with Laws Of Indices (4th here) from their course and distance meeting in the Railway Stakes last month.

The Kilcarn Stud-bred and Zhang Yuesheng-owned juvenile was a well-backed 4/1 second favourite in the hands of Shane Foley.

Tracking the leaders, Lucky Vega was third halfway and he travelled well two furlongs out.

Ridden and making headway to lead early in the final furlong the Naas maiden victor stretched clear in the final hundred yards to account for the filly Aloha Star by three and a half lengths.

A steward’s enquiry not involving the winner saw Aloha Star demoted to third in favour of original ‘bronze medallist,’ The Lir Jet There appeared to be minimal interference between the pair.

The gambled-on market-leader St Mark’s Basilica was fifth. Steel Bull reportedly banged his head in the stalls and didn’t run his race in seventh.

“He was good. That's Mr Zhang's first Group 1 winner worldwide. I'm absolutely delighted, for the horse and it's great for Mr Zhang,” said Mrs Harrington.

“He's a nice horse going forward and Shane said he's getting quicker.

“He probably needed it the last day because he had won his maiden without getting into a battle. The last day when he got into a bit of a battle it just hardened him up.

“He was much more streetwise and on his work at home he had really started to come to himself.

“We thought he was working well but you never know until you go racing and everyone said this was a strong renewal.

“We'll have to sit down and think now but Shane said we'd probably be thinking about the Middle Park. I think he'll get seven as well.

“Last year was all about the fillies so it's great this year to come up with a good colt.”

The Stewards enquired into possible interference in the closing stages involving The Lir Jet, ridden by O.J. Orr, placed third and Aloha Star, ridden by C.D. Hayes, placed second, where it appeared interference had occurred.

Evidence was heard from the riders concerned.

Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards were satisfied that Aloha Star had caused interference to The Lir Jet and in doing so had improved its finishing position.

The Stewards therefore reversed the Judge's placings of the second and third placed horses.

Furthermore, the Stewards were satisfied that C.D. Hayes was in breach of Rule 214 (carelessly riding) by failing to take reasonable steps to avoid causing interference.

Having taken his previous record in this regard into account, the Stewards suspended C.D. Hayes for 1 raceday.

The amended result now reads;

1st Lucky Vega,

2nd The Lir Jet,

3rd Aloha Star,

4th Laws Of Indices,

5th St Marks's Basilica,

6th Bubbles On Ice

M.D. O'Callaghan, trainer of Steel Bull, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his charge broke two teeth in the stalls, which was confirmed by the I.H.R.B Veterinary Officer.

(GC & EM)