Cork-born Dane O'Neill continued his rich association with the Curragh on Saturday when he partnered Rag Top to justify favouritism in the featured seven furlong C.L. Weld Park Stakes.
Winner of a valuable listed contest in Naas back in June, the Richard Hannon-trained 9/4 market leader travelled sweetly throughout before she forged to the front at the furlong pole and kept on well to defeat Feabhas and Finity to provide O'Neill with his fifth success at headquarters this term.
Richard Hannon, representing his father and namesake, has Classic glory next year very much on the agenda, 'She's a guineas filly and I'd like to see her come back for the Irish 1,000 Guineas next season,' he said.
Referring to her poor effort when fifth in a Group 3 Deauville contest in August, Hannon Jnr revealed, 'Like a lot of our horses she went off the boil a bit but Dane, who I think is still so underrated in Britain, gave her a lovely ride out there. She settled well and she'll get a mile next year.'
Some of the gloss was taken away from the victory later when Richard Hannon was fined 520 (1% of prizemoney) for the withdrawal of Nysaean from the Diamond Stakes. 'This is possibly the best horse we have ever trained at home and the ground although described officially as good was faster than that in our opinion,' said Hannon Jnr. This was the sixth time Nysaean has missed his intended engagement due to unsuitable ground.
John Oxx introduced a winning newcomer in the shape of New South Wales in the one mile maiden which helped John Murtagh to the head of affairs for the first time this season in the Jockeys Championship.
One hour later the Meathman extended his advantage over Mick Kinane when recent course winner Glocca Morra landed a tidy gamble in the 29-runner 7f handicap.
Trained on the Curragh by Bill Farrell, son-in-law of author and former trainer Guy Williams, the 5/1 favourite (from 10's) drew steadily clear from the furlong marker to simply annihilate the opposition.
Murtagh completed a 119/1 treble in the Listed Diamond Stakes when Miss Honorine recorded her second listed success for the current campaign when collaring odds-on Sights On Gold, who looked the likely winner until tackled inside the final furlong by the game John Oxx-trained filly.
'She's a very genuine filly and goes on all grounds. She stays that trip well and she may run in a Listed Race at Gowran next Saturday,' said the Currabeg handler of the 4/1 chance which contained no Jackpot units resulting in a 53,782 rollover to next Sunday.
For many their jackpot interest went astray in the opening leg when 20/1 chance Miss Koen scored in the hands of Damian Murphy from stable companion Octomone, the winner paying a staggering 107.10 on the Tote.
Eddie Lynam nominated the 200,000 Foal Levy Stakes at the Curragh next Sunday for Kooyong after the 10/1 chance carried the colours of Richard Behan to victory in the opening 6f maiden.
Big disappointment here was market leader Mukammal who pulled very hard going to the start which probably cost him his chance. He trailed in 13th for Pat Cosgrave.
