Leopardstown report
Dermot Weld and Pat Smullen dominated the Guineas Trials at Leopardstown on Sunday.
Derby hope Refuse To Bend successfully gave 7LBs to his rivals when holding the late challenge of Good Day Too by half a length in the 2,000 Guineas trial.
Weld said afterwards:'That was a good performance, Refuse To Bend is a laid back individual who only does the minimum. He needed that race and it will bring him on a lot.'
The Curragh trainer continued: ' I think that was more a Derby than a Guineas performance but we won't make a decision until nearer the day.'
Earlier the stable's Dimitrova just held on by a head to beat the Aidan O'Brien-trained L'ancresse in the 1,000 Guineas Trial. Weld said of the Joe Higgins'-owned filly: 'The Irish 1,000 Guineas would now appear to be the logical step.'
33/1 shot Balestrini, partnered by Tom Queally, caused a major shock in the Group3 Ballysax Stakes when slipping his field three furlongs from home. The Ballydoyle pacemaker was being reeled in by Alamshar all the way up the straight, but the line came just in time.
Balestrini's winning time of 2min 5.9sec replicated that of stablemate High Chapparal in the contest last year and proves that the performance was no fluke.
Commenting on the winner Aidan O'Bien said: 'Balestrini has been working really well but you would have to say that the runner-up was very impressive in making up so much ground.'
The runner-up, Alamshar, has shortened to second favourite for the Derby following his promising run and a delighted John Oxx commented:'the race turned into a farce, but he ran a really good race. Johnny (Murtagh) decided to track Alberto Giacometti, but unfortunately the winner got first run.'
Jonn Oxx was on the mark twice during the afternoon. He trained his third winner of the season when Darbela ran out a convincing if narrrow winner of the opening Palmer McCormack Maiden and later on Cruzspiel belied odds of 14/1 (Tote E84.40) to land the Leopardstown Golf Centre maiden.
