Acapulco Bay and Ryan Moore© Photo Healy Racing
Sent off 2/11f, the Aidan O'Brien trained Acapulco Bay had to work harder than his supporters might have anticipated before eventually getting the job done in the opening Kara Quinn Memorial Irish EBF (C&G) Maiden at the Curragh.
Runner up on his racecourse debut over 7f here earlier this month, the Dubawi colt would have been expected to come forward sufficiently to made short work of the opposition on his second start.
Sent straight to the front by Ryan Moore from the off, Acapulco Bay set the early fractions but looked in trouble over two furlongs out as Mythical Reel threw down a strong challenge.
To his credit, the colt found plenty for pressure, regaining a clear advantage inside the final furlong, before staying on strongly to hold the late run of stablemate Genealogy by one-and-three-quarter-lengths.
“We're very happy with him, he was very green in front,” said O'Brien.
“The last day he came from behind and Ryan said he never really picked the bridle up at all. He felt that he was in second gear the whole time.
“It was new to him but he was very happy with him. He really didn't go forward at all and was just waiting the whole time because he hadn't been in front before.
“Obviously he's going to be a horse that will take his time in a good race. We saw what he did the last day over seven when he came flashing home.
“The last day he travelled and quickened and today he didn't go forward at all because all he was doing was looking, he was getting no lead. I'd say he's quicker than he looked today.
“The second horse ran a lovely race. He has done plenty of work and has been there a long time, working all the time, but he's just been asleep.
“That's why we run them, get them out and see. Wayne was happy with him, complimentary of him.”
Paddy Powers left Acapulco Bay unchanged at 33/1 for both the 2000 Guineas and Derby. He was trimmed from 20/1 to 16/1 for the Dewhurst Stakes.
Additional reporting by Gary Carson.
