Weld wins Connacht Oaks with Aga's Kastasa

Kastasa won today's featured Irish Stallion Farms EBF Connacht Oaks Handicap at Sligo as the Aga Khan owned, Dermot Weld trained filly won under a feather weight for jockey Andy Slattery.

The daughter of Rock Of Gibraltar won her maiden at Clonmel in April and today bagged a second success at another less fashionable flat venue when benefitting from a well timed ride from capable 5lbs claimer Slattery.

Kastasa carried just 8st3lbs to victory and following the race Slattery said “it's great to get a couple of nice rides on my first day back (from minor injury, his previous ride was on July 26), especially for Mr Weld who has been very good to me.

“I've ridden a couple of nice horses for him and that's another one for the collection. I'm getting plenty chances from him and when you get on one of Mr Weld's horses you know your fate.

“She's done it nicely. There were a couple of little worrying moments when she hit a couple of flat spots.

“She has a lot to learn yet but that will all come with racing as she's only run three times. That'll bring her on a lot today.

“I probably got there too soon, she was in front a little bit longer than usual today and she'll learn a lot from that.”

Quotes from Gary Carson