Visualisation wins from Lafayette (pink) © Photo Healy Racing
Fifth choice in the market at 12/1, Visualisation made all under Declan McDonogh to win the Group 2 Coolmore Stud Sottsass Irish EBF Mooresbridge Stakes.
It was a quick Group race double for Joseph O'Brien after Honey Girl s victory in the Athasi Stakes.
A Listed winner at Naas in March and second to Point Lonsdale in last month's Alleged Stakes over course and distance, McDonogh brought the No Nay Never gelding stands' side in the straight and he stayed on well to beat Lafayette by a length and a half.
Irish Champion Stakes winner Luxembourg, the 10/11 favourite, met trouble in running halfway down the straight when trying to improve from the rear and wasn't give a hard time thereafter before finishing fifth.
"Declan gave him a great ride. The horse loves soft, tacky ground,” said O'Brien.
“He was third in this last year on goodish ground. He missed most of last season after a holdup but he's come back in real good shape this season. He's a mud lover.
“Declan said that he felt he moved a bit early on him the last day and he was going to move a bit later today. He said his kick lasted him until 100 yards from the line last time and that he was going to wait an extra 100 yards today. He got him to the line today.
“I have to say it was all up to Declan and he gave him fantastic ride.
“He's been a good horse for a while and that ground is his thing. Wherever he goes the ground will have to have soft in the description.”
Quotes from Gary Carson
