Dermot Weld and Pat Smullen enjoyed a successful warm-up for the Galway Festival with completing a Stakes race double at the Curragh on Saturday with Muakaad and Dress To Thrill.
Muakaad was always travelling well in the Group 3 Meld Stakes, and struck the front inside the final quarter mile to beat Bonnard by a length and a half. 'He deserves that Group race win, and was always in control', said Weld, who will consult with both owner Sheikh Hamdan and racing manager Angus Gold before deciding on the four-year-old's next target. 'The Royal Whip, the Juddmonte International at York and the Arlington Million are all possibilities', said the master of Rosewell House.
Dress To Thrill justified Weld's decision to bypass a maiden at Ballybrit in favour of the Flame Of Tara Tyros Stakes by landing the Listed race. The well-bred Danehill filly, out of 1,000 Guineas heroine Trusted Partner, led inside the final furlong, and kept on well to hold the staying on Shah Jehan by a neck.
Dress To Thrill is owned by the Moyglare Stud Farm, and there were no prizes for guessing where she will head next. 'There is still plenty of improvement in this filly, and the logical progression is to go for the Moyglare. She will learn alot from that, and wants fast ground', said Weld afterwards.
Pat Shanahan is fourth in the jockeys table after completing a double aboard Ciara Flyer and Pipisflying. Ciara Flyer held Mambo Jambo by a length as the pair dominated the finishing stages of the Newbridge Handicap, while Pipisflying showed her customary speed when making all in the five furlongs Ballymany Handicap.
Michael Grassick saddled his first juvenile winner of the season when Sweet Deimos justified favouritism in the Rosslare EBF Maiden. Eddie Ahern's mount kept on well to hold the rallying Bringontheclowns by three quarters of a length, and could travel over to York next month for the Lowther Stakes.
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