Sudirman (centre) sees off the challenge of Big Time (right) and War Command (left)© Photo Healy Racing
< Sudirman elevated his status among Ireland's top two-year-olds as he burst the War Command bubble in the Keeneland Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh.
David Wachman's colt won the Group Two Railway Stakes over the course and distance last time and was stepping up to Group One level as he faced the unbeaten Coventry Stakes winner, who was sent off the 2-5 favourite.
Sudirman (4-1) took over from Ambiance inside the final two furlongs and as the distress signals went out on War Command, he ran on with zest under Wayne Lordan to hold Big Time by half a length in a repeat of the Railway one-two.
War Command's trainer Aidan O'Brien had better fortune with Tapestry who cemented her position as a leading hope for next year's 1000 Guineas with a ready success in the Friarstown Stud Debutante Stakes.
Stablemate Perhaps led the way in the Group Two contest and stuck on well to finish second, but the race was quickly over when Joseph O'Brien unleashed the 4-5 favourite inside the final furlong. She swept past to score by a length and three-quarters.
Tapestry is a daughter of dual Group One winner Rumplestiltskin and another regally bred Ballydoyle youngster, Terrific (9-4), led all the way in first-time blinkers to take the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Maiden, holding favourite Gorteo by half a length.
It was a big day for Wayne Lordan, who followed up his victory on Sudirman by landing the Paypal Supporting Irish Autism Action Phoenix Sprint Stakes on the Eddie Lynam-trained Slade Power (2-1), who was always travelling best and beat Hamza by a length and a half, with favourite Sea Siren a disappointing third.
Mark Johnston's prolific winner Maputo (5-4 favourite) took another step up the ladder when leading inside the final quarter-mile and readily holding Caponata to take the Bet Online At thetote.com Royal Whip Stakes (Group Three) by a length under Joe Fanning.
