Two Stars another for in-form Stack

Fozzy Stack continued his strong start to the 2023 Flat season, with Two Stars providing him with his sixth winner of the campaign in the opening Cork Maiden.

A solid third on debut just under a month ago when sent off a joint-favourite, the Starspangledbanner gelding drifted from 5s today to a starting price of 9/1.

Always towards the head of affairs under Mark Enright, he had a good tussle with Roaming Star from over a furlong out, getting on top in the closing stages before going on to prevail by a length-and-a-quarter.

The runner-up was sent off a well-backed 9/2 chance (11s early), while First Gentleman and Desert Haven returned the 9/4 joint-favourites, were a neck and a short head away in third and fourth respectively.

"He did it well and is still green," Stack commented in the aftermath.

"He was a bit unlucky here the last day when he fell out of the gates and is a fast horse.

"He will go on better ground but won't get a yard beyond six furlongs and might end up being better over five. He will develop into a nice sprinter in time.

"We'll look for a handicap mark now and with sprinters they need practice."

The winner is a brother to King Of Stars, a five-time winner in the UK for Mick Appleby.

STEWARDS REPORTS

N.M. Crosse, rider of Racing Royalty (GB), trained by Gillian Scott, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount jumped right coming out of the stalls.

J.A. Powell, rider of Grigal trained by Richard Brabazon, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount received a bump leaving the stalls.

D.P. McDonogh, rider of Capital Guarantee trained by Kieran P. Cotter, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount hung badly right throughout.

M.A. Enright, rider of Two Stars, trained by J.A.Stack, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount hung badly left throughout.

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes