Slade Power & Wayne Lordan have too much pace for Hamza© Photo Healy Racing
Wayne Lordan completed a big race double at the Curragh today when Slade Power ran out a cosy winner of the Group 3 Paypal Supporting Irish Autism Action Phoenix Sprint Stakes.
The Eddie Lynam-trained colt travelled with utmost ease throughout in the six furlong contest and was asked to go and win his race over a furlong from home.
He ran on well in the closing stages to post a length-and-a-half verdict over long-time leader Hamza with even-money favourite Sea Siren held in third, a further length-and-a-half back.
The 2/1 winner was coming into this off the back of a fine third in the Group 1 July Cup at Newmarket last month.
“He's done that well and travelled quite easily. I was getting worried that nothing was going to take me a bit further,” said Lordan afterwards.
“He couldn't have done it much easier and is an improving horse as he's showed all year.
“He wasn't killing himself in front and I got there sooner than ideal but it's a sprint so I'm not going to take a pull of him and just let him go and enjoy himself.
“He's going the right way and was probably just the best horse in the race.”
There was almost comical scenes at the start as Paul Mulrennan throw off the hood from Mass Rally as the stalls opened and it landed on top of Fergal Lynch's head.
The rider of Dandy Boy struggled to get the hood off before his mount went on to finish a fine fourth.
“He threw it up in the air and it landed right on my head!” said Lynch.
“I went about half a furlong before I got it off.”
