Mastercraftsman etches his name on Pheonix Stakes roll of honour Aidan O'Brien's annus mirabilis continued at The Curragh today as the Ballydoyle trainer won his 15th Group 1 of the season, with Mastercraftsman in the Independant Waterford Wedgewood Pheonix Stakes. Ridden by Johnny Murtagh, partnering his 13th Group 1 winner of '08, Mastercraftsman eventually won by an impressive four and a half lengths from much touted English raider Art Connoisseur. Mastercraftsman's stablemate Sea Of Marmara, under Seamie Heffernan, set a strong pace and had the field at full stretch at halfway, with the eventual winner racing second with Art Connoisseur patiently ridden in last. Sea Of Marmara was eventually headed over a furlong out by Mastercrastsman who staying on strongly in the final furlong to easily see off the challenge of his four rivals. Mastercrastsman, now unbeaten in three starts (all over this course and distance), was immediately made favourite for next year's English 2000 Guineas, with William Hill cutting the colt to 7/1 (from 20/1) for the Newmarket Classic. O'Brien himself was absent, attending a horse event with his family, but Murtagh was quick to state "Mastercrastsman did that very professionally and very honestly. Aidan (O'Brien) told me the other day that he has been coming on all the time and was ready for today." Murtagh added "he had a hard race the last day but probably needed it and today's strong pace was a big help as he stays seven furlongs." Michael Bell, trainer of previously unbeaten runner-up and 1/1fav Art Connoisseur later commented "Mastercraftsman has obviously improved a lot although our horse wasn't able to show the same turn of foot as at Royal Ascot and now we'll take him home and see how he is. The Gymcrack Stakes at York is a possibility next as is the Prix Morny."
