Gasper De Lemos comes home a comfortable winner under Ryan Moore© Photo Healy Racing
A significant gamble on Flying Bay failed to materialise in the Pat 'The Duke' Leavy Irish EBF Maiden, with Gasper De Lamos ultimately running out a convincing winner.
Fourth of nine on debut at Leopardstown last month, the Aidan O'Brien-trained victor was sent off the 9/4 favourite under Ryan Moore, who was out of luck on his four rides at Rosehill in Sydney yesterday morning.
Out of a sister to three-time Group 1 winner Alice Springs, the Justify colt soon raced in a share of the lead and gained a definite advantage with over two-furlongs to race.
Ridden and pressed over a furlong out, the market leader soon kicked clear and came home three-lengths to the good.
The Dermot Weld-trained Taraj (10/3) filled the runner-up spot under Chris Hayes, while No Knee Never (10/1) came from off the pace to take third, another three-and-a-quarter lengths behind.
As big as 80/1 in early shows for this seven-furlong heat, the aforementioned Andrew Kinirons-trained Flying Bay eventually went off at just 9/2.
While in with every chance from the two-furlong pole, he soon faded under pressure and finished a well-beaten fifth.
"He had a lovely run the first time. Obviously he'll be very happy going back up to a mile and he'll be a middle-distance horse next year," said O'Brien.
"It's tough out there and they have to stay to get it.
"He's probably a Racing Post horse more than a Dewhurst horse. He'll get further, he's like all those Justifys when they go up in distance they grow a leg.
"He's a very good mover so I'm surprised he handles the ground. He's a lovely actioned horse."
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
