Gleneagles so much better on start two A productive weekend at the Curragh continued for the Ballydoyle team when the Joseph O'Brien ridden Gleneagles (evens) landed the opening Barronstown Stud European Breeders Fund (C & G) Maiden. Never far away on this occasion, the Galileo colt came forward pleasingly from his debut fourth placing at Leopardstown. Leading a furlong and a half out, Gleneagles stayed on well in the final furlong to convincingly defeat Stevie's Wonder (66/1 shot who ran a cracker on debut for John Hayden) by two and a half lengths. Aidan O'Brien also supplied the third, Jamaica, who was a nose off Stevie's Wonder. "He's very nice and he quickened up well. He came forward lovely from his first run and six furlongs up will be no problem to him. "I think he'll get a mile but how much further we don't know at this stage. "He looks quicker than the filly (a full brother to Marvellous). We'll step him up in the Tyros now or something like that," reported O'Brien. The Stewards fined J.C.Hayden, trainer, €350 for lodging a passport in respect of Stevie's Wonder, in which the vaccinations did not conform with the provisions of Rule 91. The Stewards allowed the horse to run on receipt of the trainer's written assurance that the vaccinations were in order. (GC & EM)
