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Punchestown 2024
Punchestown 2024
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- Hardy Say best in Dance Design Stakes
Hardy Say best in Dance Design Stakes
Say beats Aloof at the Curragh
© Photo Healy Racing
With odds-on favourite Along Came Casey (4/7) under-performing it was left to Say to bring up a treble for Ballydoyle (earlier on the mark with Dazzling and Great White Eagle when she landed the Group 3 Dance Design Stakes at the Curragh.
Also owned by the Coolmore triumvirate, Aloof (David Wachman) made the pace here but she couldn't contain Say's challenge inside the last as the latter got up to score by a length and a quarter. Pearl Of Africa a three-year-old, is certainly one for the future as she finished out her race really well to come home just half a length adrift in third.
Along Came Casey came with her bid in the final quarter mile but it was soon apparent that today wasn't going to be her day and she faded to finish last of the seven.
Aidan O'Brien disclosed: "We were struggling with her trip wise but a mile or a mile and one is obviously her trip.
"In all fairness to the poor filly the trainer did everything with her and she's remained consistent.
"She was even in York last week (finished second there behind Obsession in the Listed Galtres Stakes).
"She's in the Matron and if she's not gone home by then she might run there."
P J Smullen, rider of Along Came Casey trained by D K Weld, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount ran flat.
The Turf Club Veterinary Officer examined Along Came Casey, trained by D K Weld, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be post race normal.
(GC & EM)