Sapphire success for course specialist Art Power Art Power's (6/5f) excellent record in Ireland, the Curragh and on soft ground continued at that Kildare venue today as UK trainer Tim Easterby's gallant grey landed the Group 2 Barberstown Castle Sapphire Stakes for King Power Racing and jockey David Allan. Five of the six-year-old's eight previous wins have come in Ireland and today notched a fifth Curragh success when scoring readily from Go Athletico. Winning jockey Allan reported “he's been awesome and he loves coming to Ireland for some reason - nobody knows why but he seems to come to life here. “Bringing him back to five (furlongs) we thought might be an issue but I've always been confident five is going to be okay for him, especially if the ground is soft. It went right up his street today and it all worked out perfect.” He added “the way he was powering up that hill I thought 'they can't go that fast to catch me', especially in that ground, he was powering away. “I heard the commentator shout that I'd gone clear so I just coasted home.” “I'd imagine he'll have to return - any race we can find we'll run him! He's ran well in some Group 1s in England but he's just not got to it yet. I think if he gets proper soft ground it might just happen one day.” Quotes from Gary Carson
