Pearl Music (centre) beats Zand (right) and Stepwise (left)© Photo Healy Racing
Pearl Music got a lovely ride from Gary Carroll to land the opening Gain Freedom European Breeders Fund (C & G) Maiden, beating promising newcomer Zand by three parts of a length at the Curragh.
In doing so, Peal Music was reversing form with the favourite, Wexford Opera (4th here) – the pair had been second and fourth respectively when starting off their careers behind Pedro The Great at Leopardstown back in June.
The victorious Oratorio colt travelled well down the outer and once Carroll asked for more at the furlong pole the result was soon beyond doubt.
Zand under Christophe Lemaire did come home strongly on his first start but he was never going to quite bridge the gap. There was a length back to Zand's John Oxx stable companion, Stepwise in third whilst the aforementioned market-leader, Wexford Opera was another three and a quarter lengths back.
Ger Lyons trains Pearl Music for Pearl Bloodstock Limited and he said: "He's a bonny little colt and he's far from the finished article. In his introduction the ground was horrendous. I loved him before the team bought him and I'm grateful they gave him to me.
"I picked him out at Goffs. I think he's a stakes horse and we won't see the best of him until next year.
"He was drawn twelve so I told Gary to take his time, to keep it simple and let him take him into the race.
"His career is not about today. He wants further and he is one to look forward to as a three-year-old.
"We'll bring him home and see how he is and then make a plan." Distant Bells (25s this morning into 7s) finished down the field. (GC & EM)
