Murphy and Carroll in Group Two heaven with Gustavus Weston

Fifth in the race last year, Gustavus Weston hailing from the bang-in-form Joe Murphy outfit, landed some bets (20s into 14s) when taking the Group Two Weatherbys Ireland Greenlands Stakes at the Curragh.

On a day when County Tipperary trainers are dominating, Murphy’s Gustavus Weston beat Denis Hogan’s Make A Challenge and Paddy Twomey’s Sonaiyla by three parts of a length and a length and three parts.

Make A Challenge shaped like a potential winner for much of the six furlong journey but that smooth mover couldn’t resist the Gary Carroll-ridden Gustavus Weston from over a hundred yards out.

Starting off for Moyglare Stud Farm Sonaiyla ran well, staying on for third, whilst English raider and favourite Glen Shiel had every chance from a good position and ended up in fourth.

“That was his Derby. He won here before and we always thought he liked the Curragh,” said Murphy.

“We thought he needed the race last week and that put him dead on for this one.

“He won well and I'm delighted the way Gary rode him, it was a good result.

“I'd have been happy with a place, we're not greedy! He got him switched off which helped, he's inclined to be a bit strong but he switched off today and that was the key to him.”

At the request of the handicapper, the Stewards received a report from Joseph G. Murphy, trainer, as to the apparent improvement in form of Gustavus Weston, placed first, as compared with its previous run over five furlongs at Naas on 16th May. Joseph G. Murphy reported that in conjunction with his son Joseph, the training regime for their charge was changed after The Gladness Stakes here on the 17th April. Around that time it was noted that the animal had lost weight, was fretting and had the vices of being a box walker and a weaver. The animal was restabled into a larger space and gradually began to thrive and put on weight. In his opinion, the animal was probably in need of the race most recently at Naas but also appreciated the extra trip today at a track where he had been victorious previously. Having considered the evidence the Stewards noted the content of the report.

(GC & EM)