Progressive Soffia takes Ballyogan honours

The likeable Soffia continued her progression through the ranks, as she landed the feature at the Curragh this evening, the Group 3 TRM Excellence In Equine Nutrition Ballyogan Stakes.

A winner of the valuable 'Bold Lad' Handicap over the course and distance on Champions Weekend, the Eddie Lynam trained filly claimed the Listed Sole Power Sprint Stakes at Naas on her last start.

Sent off an 11/4 chance this evening, the daughter of Kyllachy was never far off the pace under Declan McDonogh and led with two furlongs left to race.

She was ridden inside the final furlong, and kept on well to hold off the effort of Dan's Dream by a neck.

The runner-up, who is trained in the UK by Mick Channon, was returned at 3/1 under Ronan Whelan, while fellow UK raider Queen Jo Jo (4/1) was another half a length back in third. Lethal Promise was sent off the 9/4 favourite, and she finished a disappointing fifth.

"It was probably a combination of jockey being right and trainer being right," said Lynam.

"I wanted to go for this, Declan said she was getting quicker now and five was her best trip. We might have been both right.

"I think maybe five is her best trip now. I know we won so we got away with it. She was gutsy and in fairness I'd say the runner-up's best trip is seven and that was a help.

"She's just kept improving. She started off winning a maiden here, tipped along, and has just got better and better.

"She's owned by a very nice woman (Lady O'Reilly) and trained by a very nice fella!

"I'll make an entry for the Flying Five and make an entry for the Sapphire. Declan is mad keen for me to go to England. He thinks she'd love England.

"I know those English sprints and know how good you have to be. She's won a Group 3 and won a Listed. She's not going to Royal Ascot or anything like that.

"I think we've a good enough program here, we didn't use to have it. We've the Sapphire on Oaks weekend and the Flying Five.

"When you've won a Listed and Group 3 you are just trying to raise their CV that little bit more. I can dream - I'm good at dreaming!"

STEWARDS REPORTS

The Stewards interviewed M.D. O'Callaghan, trainer of Aurora Eclipse, regarding the withdrawal of his charge from this race due to a change in going. Evidence was heard from the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Senior Rules of Racing Handicapper, Mr. G. O' Gorman, who stated that Aurora Eclipse has previously shown good form on yielding ground in the early stages of the season and has improved on good ground. M.D. O'Callaghan agreed with the assessment of his charge's form and added that the filly was jarred after running on fast ground at Newmarket last year and has resented that surface since. In M.D. O' Callaghan's opinion, this evening's race was very competitive and his charge would prefer slower ground which he was expecting given the amount of rain that was forecast but did not fall. Having considered the evidence, the Stewards accepted the explanation offered and took no further action.

The Stewards interviewed M.D. O'Callaghan, trainer of Angelic Light, in relation to the withdrawal of his charge from this race due to a change in going. Evidence was heard from the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Senior Rules of Racing Handicapper, Mr. G. O' Gorman who stated that Angelic Light showed its best form in Newmarket, has won on soft ground, ran well in Navan on good to yielding ground and on her last run in Cork ran poorly on good ground where the rider reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount did not handle the ground. M.D. O' Callaghan agreed with the assessment of his charges form and added that his filly had pains in her knees for which she was medicated after running on fast ground last season. Regarding her last run in Cork, M.D. O' Callaghan confirmed the rider's report and added that his filly hung during that race. Having walked the track this evening, M.D. O' Callaghan was of the opinion that Angelic Light would have prefered softer ground which had not materialised despite the amount of rain which was forecast. Having heard the evidence the Stewards accepted the explanation offered and took no further action.

The Stewards interviewed R.P. Whelan, rider of Dan's Dream (GB), concerning his use of the whip in the closing stages of 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 R.P. Whelan was in breach of Regulation 10.3 (g), in that he used his whip with excessive frequency. Having considered his record in this regard, the Stewards suspended R.P. Whelan for 2 racedays and reminded him of his future responsibilities in this regard.

Additional reporting by Gary Carson