Livadiya rolled back the years at Leopardstown yesterday evening when winning the Stillorgan Handicap for the second time. The Harry Rogers-trained filly won the race when it was known as the Golden Pages three years ago and, if anything, she has improved markedly since that victory.
Johnny Murtagh rode the 7/1 chance with supreme confidence, after keeping her in rear until the final furlong. When she was asked to quicken, Livadiya flew home and eventually won by a comfortable length from Definite Spectacle.
'She's unbelievable and Johnny gave her a great ride,' said Rogers.
Earlier, Maroochydore recorded a fluent success in the Listed Silver Flash Stakes and David Wachman's filly looks set to take a high rank in the Irish juvenile division. The daughter of Danehill, which was ridden by Michael Kinane, was always prominent before making her challenge over a furlong out and soon quickened clear to defeat Acciacatura by a length. The English raider and 5/4 favourite Voile came from a long way back in the straight to finish fourth after being set an impossible task.
'She did it well and was still very green when she hit the front. We'll go for the Debutante Stakes at the Curragh next' remarked a delighted David Wachman. It was evening to remember for the Tipperary trainer, who also had two winners in Killarney.
Kinane went on to ride the winner of the next when Powerscourt made all the running to take the Seapoint Race. The Sadler's Wells colt had been set a stiff task in the Irish Derby on his seasonal debut but found this company far less demanding. In the straight he comfortably shook off the attentions of Napper Tandy for a cosy one-and-a-half length success.
'He'll go for a Group race next, maybe the Gordon Stakes at Goodwood and we think he'll get a mile and a half' said Aidan O'Brien.
Declan McDonogh produced Blue Corrig with a telling late challenge to land the concluding Challenge Stakes. The 12/1 shot proved a head too good for the evens favourite Handel with Cruzspiel a length and a half away in third.
Jim Bolger continued his tremendous run of form whenYoung Talent and David Moran took the Derrinstown Stud Apprentice Handicap. The 7/1 chance was ridden to challenge the front-running No Frontier over a furlong out and held on to beat Athlumney Lad by a fast-diminishing length.
The most exciting finish of the evening came in the 0-85 handicap where Triple Gold and Helen Keohane got up in the final stride to deny Hadath. The 10/1 shot made up over five lengths on the leaders in the final furlong and Con Collins plans to step the Goldmark filly up in trip
