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Mark Nunan

Mark Nunan

O'Callaghan pleased with Navassa Island ahead of Cork Listed sprint

Fri 10th May 2024, 08:24

Navassa Island (centre) Navassa Island (centre)
© Photo Healy Racing

Michael O'Callaghan sent out his fourth winner of the season at Gowran yesterday when I Am Superman scored under Colin Keane and the five-times Irish champion jockey again teams up with the trainer in the Goffs Irish EBF Polonia Stakes at Cork this afternoon.

Keane, with four winners from nine rides for the O'Callaghan barn this season, will be aboard Navassa Island in the Goffs Irish EBF Polonia Stakes.

The daughter of Territories, a Curragh maiden winner and placed three times at stakes level last term, was fifth in the Committeed Stakes at Navan on her return to action last month and will be sporting new headgear in today's Listed contest over five and a half furlongs.

“She was very good first time out at Naas (second to Porta Fortuna) and then after that we thought we had to start stepping her up in trip even though she'd run so well over six," said O'Callaghan.

“She has loads of boot, she's a half-sister to Lezoo out of a Red Clubs mare.

“She wears blinkers for the first time and it might just sharpen her up enough to be there or thereabouts.

“It was a very good run at Navan and she was the first filly home as well. She's taking on fillies only now, she kind of has to take her chance but she's in great form.”

Additional reporting by Gary Carson

About Mark Nunan
Mark has followed racing since he was a teenager and worked for many years as a broadcaster with the Irish version of Racecall. He joined the Press Association in 2019 and is also a contributor to the Racing Post. A native of Kildare, he now lives in Sligo.