Review LEOPARDSTOWN 28-JUN-2000

Aidan O'Brien and Mick Kinane captured the listed Silver Flash Stakes with newcomer Freshwater Pearl (1/2-5/4f) before a large crowd this evening.

After stable-companion Dream was deemed a non-runner (in season), Kinane then switched to the daughter of Alzao who went on to defeat another Ballydoyle inmate La Vida Loca by 1/2L.

'Michael liked her. She's a nice filly and she'll go a bit further and appreciate a little ease. She'll have a break and come back for the C.L. Weld Stakes 7f at the Curragh, said O'Brien.

American ace Chris McCarron, in Ireland with a breeders association from the USA, made the presentation to the winning connections of Freshwater Pearl.

O'Brien later outlined his Irish Derby plans, ' At this stage I think we'll have three runners, Glyndebourne, Ciro and Shakespeare with Shoal Creek least likely to run.'

Asked which horse he would favour, O'Brien added, 'It's very hard to get away from Group 1 form and Ciro is in great form and working great. He's by Woodman and not many get 1m4f but we think he'll stay.'

Dermot Weld found the winners enclosure when Vinnie Roe (7/4-4/1) produced a late burst under Pat Smullen to head Affianced (6/4-7/4f) in the dying stride of the 7f maiden.

The winner which cost #50,000 at Goffs last year is owned by film director Jim Sheridan of My Left Foot fame and was a first juvenile success this season for Weld.

'Media Puzzle looks like being my only Irish Derby runner. He's entitled to run and has come on a bit and the quicker they go the better for him,' revealed Weld.

Jeremy Harley was 'pleasantly surprised' after Niall McCullagh conjured up a winning surge aboard 20/1 shot Count Us In to defeat Among Equals and Insenor (6/4-5/4f) in the 1m4f maiden.

'It was a case of either here in January or today. There are 8 of us in the syndicate and I had the casting vote so he came here,' said Harley.

'He will run in a 1m6f winners race at Killarney but he jumps super and he could appear at Roscommon (over hurdles) later in the year,' Harley added.

Ghrainne Clancy (17) from Thurles recorded her first win in the saddle aboard the Con Collins-trained Little Sean (14/1) in the apprentice race.

The field was reduced to 19 at the half-way stage when La Na Scolb (Gordon Power) slipped up breaking her leg and brought down Peru Girl and Derek Stamp. Both riders escaped injury.

Jim Bolger's Citizen Edward (2/1-6/4f) justified strong support in the 9f handicap

after which Timmy Houlihan was taken to hospital with monir concussion after his mount s.u. after a furlong.

Charlie Swan continued his rich vein of form this week when the versatile Donadino (4/1-5/1-11/4f provided one lucky winner of the Jackpot worth #11,500 in the finale.

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