Zannda and Pat Smullen just touch off Altesse (partly hidden on far side)© Photo Healy Racing
Punters at Cork were once again treated to a tour de force from champion jockey Pat Smullen, who completed a near 11/1 treble on the card with a narrow victory aboard Zannda in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Give Thanks Stakes.
In a repeat of the earlier success of Eshera in the Listed Platinum Stakes for the same connections, Zannda needed all of Smullen's strength to get home by a head in this Group 3 event.
The Dermot Weld-trained daughter of Azamour battled it out inside the final quarter mile with fellow 11/4 co favourite Altesse and, in a head-bobbing finish, it was the Aga Khan's home-bred who just prevailed by a head.
The other 11/4 co favourite Easter was a further length and a half back in third.
Smullen initiated his treble in the opening juvenile maiden on hot-favourite Only Mine and is now on the 72 winner mark for the campaign - 30 clear of his nearest pursuer.
Weld's son Kris said, "We were hopeful coming here but it's lovely when they (Eshera also) go and do it. We were hoping for more rain for Zannda but she handled it nicely and Pat was very happy with her. She'll go for the Prix Royallieu on Arc weekend."
Smullen said, "We got there sooner than ideal and, while she wouldn't want the ground any quicker, the step to a mile and a half was ideal. She's like a lot of the Aga Khan horses and put her head down and battled and tries hard. That's what you need."
(TW & AM)
