Well-bred Ocean gains important brackets

Golden Ocean quickened up nicely to make it third time lucky in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Maiden at Navan this afternoon.

The Michael O'Callaghan-trained had been a promising fourth on debut and was beaten favourite when last seen finishing fifth at Leopardstown in June behind the classy Jancis.

She went to post a 4/1 shot in today's mile contest and was settled behind the leaders early on by Seamie Heffernan, who was bagging a double on the card.

The Blue Point filly was switched out for a run over a furlong from home and grabbed front-runner North Africa in the closing stages to record a two-and-a-quarter length success.

O'Callaghan said: "She's a filly we always thought a lot of.

"She had a genuine excuse that day in Naas and things just didn't go right in Leopardstown.

"She's a big filly that we always thought of next year for. She is very well-bred, she is out of a mare that won three Group Ones.

"Jim Ryan took her home after her last run and just gave her a month at home. He gave her plenty of TLC and he gave her a break exactly when she needed it.

“He did plenty of work with her at home and I got her back a month ago in brilliant order. All I had to do was not mess her up.

"Seamie said she will be better in a better race going 1m2f next year.

"She is still a big baby and very important to get her winning bracket. She has done that now so we'll get her home. No matter what we do, we'll be looking forward to next year for her."

(Quotes by Michael Graham)