Number 15 Powerful Aggie gets it done under Mikey Sheehy© Photo Healy Racing
There was no joy for the Joseph O'Brien runners over at Ascot on Champions Day but the Piltown handler was responsible for a Leopardstown double that came in at odds of just over 18/1. Powerful Aggie completed the brace in the finale under Mikey Sheehy.
Owned by the Wexford/Australian Power Thoroughbreds PTY Limited, and by their Melbourne Cup hero from 2014, Protectionist, Powerful Aggie (13/2 - 15/2 - 9/2 joint favourite) showed her progressive nature in this mile and a half Leopardstown October Handicap.
The three-year-old filly was well able to hold her own against mainly older geldings as she chased the leaders before eventually getting to the front inside the final furlong.
Strongly pressed and staying on well close home, Powerful Aggie was all out to keep Pin You Hopes at bay by a head.
O'Brien was earlier on the mark with the J P McManus owned and bred Good Heavens (Shane Crosse) and after the win in the nightcap stable representative Brendan Powell said: “She’s very laidback in her races but Mikey said every time you ask her she picks up.
“I thought he gave her a great ride because he could have stayed down the inner and might have got boxed in. He saw a gap and when she’s got to the front she wouldn’t let anything pass her.
“She just seems to do enough and she stays well. The handicapper put her up enough last time but she’s obviously improved again.
“It’s a good pot to win and it’s nice that the lads (Power Thoroughbreds) are here to see her today.”
W.J. Lee, rider of Rebellito (FR) trained by W.P. Mullins, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount slipped on the first bend.
D.P. McDonogh, rider of Baby Zeus trained by W.P. Mullins, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount got tight for room a furlong down and had to check slightly.
B.M. Coen, rider of Yafordadoe trained by Gavin Cromwell, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount drifted left under pressure.
(AM & EM)
