Sea Dart was the highlight of a treble for John Oxx and John Murtagh at the Curragh on Saturday when Sheikh Mohammed's home-bred colt landed the Goffs International Stakes.
Al Turf set the pace in this five-runner Group 2 mile event, and still held sway up front as Murtagh mounted his challenge inside the final quarter mile. Sea Dart quickened to the front over a furlong out, and kept on well to score by a length with France not looking the most co-operative ride for Michael Kinane a further two lengths back in third.
'We liked him last year but he'd a few hold ups over the winter and just came good in May. He just does enough at home but is better on the track and, despite now having to carry a Group 2 penalty, will go for the Desmond Stakes at Leopardstown next month,' said Oxx.
The Currabeg trainer recorded a 1-2 in the mile and a half handicap, and again Murtagh came out on top as Englishtown just touched off Akash, on whom Fran Berry put up 1lb over-weight, in the final stride. 'He's been knocking on the door and deserved that, while Akash is coming back to form and will go for a mile and three quarters handicap on the Friday of the Galway Festival,' said Oxx.
Estivau complted a 48.5/1 treble for the Oxx/Murtagh team when finishing strongly down the centre of the track in the ten furlongs maiden.
The opening two juvenile races both provided shocks for punters with Soviet Belle making a successful debut and Mister Marmaduke showing good speed in the five furlongs event.
Soviet Belle (16/1) was the outsider of Jim Bolger's two runners in the six furlongs fillies maiden but the speedily bred daughter of Soviet Star bounced out of the stalls to make all under David Moran. The easy-to-back 3/1 favourite Necklace came home strongly from the furlong pole to get within three quarters of a length.
'She's a lightly made filly so we didn't ask too much of her at home, and I thought as a result she might run a bit green,' said the Coolcullen handler.
Mister Marmaduke was also up with the pace throughout in the winners auction race, and kept on gamely for Robbie Burke to beat Lady Portia by three quarters of a length. 'He ran well here at the opening meeting of the season but disappointed twice since, and we decided to geld him as he was very excitable as a colt. He could run again in a similar event at Down Royal next Saturday,' said trainer Jeremy Harley.
The 30 runner seven furlongs handicap proved an easier puzzle for backers, and Michael Kinane notched up his 40th winner of the season when Premier View came with a smooth challenge to beat Tigim by two lengths.
Love Token completed a hat-trick in the ten furlongs handicap, quickening well for Niall McCullagh to lead 100 yards out for a three quarters of a length verdict over Best Wait.
Alan Magee
