Galileo Rock in impressive form at Leopardstown © Photo Healy Racing
Galileo Rock absolutely sluiced up in the mile maiden for two-year-olds at Leopardstown and went into many a notebook afterwards.
David Wachman’s unraced son of Galileo, who is a three parts brother to Saddler’s Rock came with a powerful run from two furlongs in the centre of the track out to win going away by seven lengths at 8/1 with Wayne Lordan in the saddle.
Joseph O’Brien was on board Hall Of Mirrors the 5/4 favourite, and he set out to make it a true test from the front. However, his horse failed to handle the bends as he raced wide before drifting alarmingly right across the track in the home straight to ruin his chance. He came in second.
John Oxx’s Abu Nayef (12/1) was pipped for second by a head by Hall Of Mirrors. Jim Bolger’s Alpinist saw plenty of money from 11/2 in the morning to an SP of 9/4. He came in fourth after keeping on in the final furlong.
Winning jockey Wayne Lordan said: He’s a little bit babyish, but when he met the rising ground he changed his legs and the penny dropped. He’s a nice horse.”
Ladbrokes and Stan James gave Galileo Rock a quote of 25/1 for the Epsom Derby next year.
(on course reporting by Alan Magee)
