Trading Leather and Kevin Manning storm clear© Photo Healy Racing
Trading Leather earned his place in the line-up for the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby back here in just under three weeks when taking the TRM Silver Stakes in convincing fashion.
The son of Teofilo is generally a 6/1 chance, including with Paddy Power (from 9/1), for the premier Irish classic after striking for home early in the straight to take this ten-furlong Listed event. Ansgar sent a strong pace with Trading Leather keeping in his sights, and Kevin Manning sent the 5/4 favourite to the front fully two furlongs out. Lines Of Battle (3/1) tried to throw down a challenge over a furlong out but could make no impression inside the final furlong as Jim Bolger’s charge stayed on strongly to score by three and a half lengths. Kingston Jamaica (20/1) was a further length adrift in third, while Zand (3/1) was under pressure before the straight and could finish only sixth on his belated seasonal debut.
Declan McDonogh later reported that Zand "hated the fast ground".
Bolger said, “He’ll probably come back here for the Irish Derby. Hopefully this weather lasts, and they don’t go too fast.
“He’s a very straight-forward horse but he needs the ground good or faster. He doesn’t want it moving!”
