Swan Bay avails of a drop in class

Swan Bay made most to win the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Median Auction Race at Roscommon for Joseph O'Brien.

An extended mile and two furlongs was the trip and Swan Bay was sent into the lead from Bringbackmemories after a furlong.

Bringbackmemories found it difficult to go with Swan Bay approaching the final furlong and it was Swan Bay's stablemate Good Heavens who made headway from rear to third with a furlong to go and looked the potential danger.

Swan Bay (7/4f) found plenty for a Shane Crosse drive in the final 150 yards and kept up the gallop to come in by two and a half lengths from Bringbackmemories (13/2).

Good Heavens couldn't make any further gains in third. Smooth Tom was gambled on during the day but could make no impression in fourth at the business end.

Assistant trainer Brendan Powell said:- “He's very laid-back and he'll stay all day. Shane said he liked the ground and it's nice to get his head in front again.

“We'll see where he goes from here but he stuck at it well and he galloped.

“He said early on he was a bit lazy but when he got there he took him along lovely. He said every time he heard something coming to him he kept picking up.

“There could be improvement in him.”

Swan Bay was unplaced in the Group 3 Ballysax Stakes at Leopardstown on his last start.

The Australia colt holds an entry in the Irish Derby.

Additional reporting by Gary Carson