Harbour Wind and Chris Hayes, number 3, break from the stalls© Photo Healy Racing
Harbour Wind quickened up impressively to run out a stylish winner of the Vinnie Roe Stakes at Leopardstown for Dermot Weld.
Chris Hayes settled behind the leaders on the Moyglare-owned gelding in the listed contest before producing the 9/2 to lead just over a furlong from home in the mile-six event.
The Nathaniel gelding soon put daylight between himself and the field as he galloped on strongly to record a three-and-three-quarter length win over Young Ireland
It was a third career win, four four starts, for Harbour Wind and Weld said afterwards:-
“It's a race I like to win, commemorating Vinnie Roe and Pat Smullen is in my mind always.
“He's still a big immature horse, coming forward. He's next year's horse and he'll be trained accordingly.
“I'll speak with his owner Eva Maria Haefner and we'll look at whether we run him again this year and if we do run him once again this year where it will be.
“He'll probably have one more run. We'll go through the options for him.”
When asked if he saw him as a 'Cup' horse he added:- “I do, most definitely. That was a good renewal of that race, plenty of strength and of course he liked the better ground.
“He's very like his uncle Forgotten Rules in every way, make, shape and attitude.
“Chris gave him a lovely ride and he did it well. There is lots to look forward to.”
