The Aga Khan colours were carried to another big race success at Cork today where John Oxx's Caradak defeated 109 rated and main danger One More Round in the Listed King Chalemagne Stakes.
Jockey Michael Kinane delivered the knock out blow when shaking the reins on the son of Desert Style over a furlong from home, and quickening past One More Round for a length and a half success.
An impressed Oxx later stated 'he has progressed very well in the last few weeks but needed a few races to tune him in. He is a good horse and we'll see now whether or not he can improve further from this.'
The other Listed race on the cards, the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Give Thanks Stakes went to Michael Grassick's My Renee. The American bred daughter of Kris S was prominent throughout, eventually putting her head in front a furlong and a half from home before battling well to hold Tarakala by a neck. Third placed Kisses For Me did not get a clear run in the straight.
Kisses For Me's jockey Jamie Spencer did land a double on the day, winning the opening Choisir EBF Fillies Handicap on Declan Gillespie's Tequise while David Wachman's Luas Line won the six furlong maiden.
Gillespie's Tequise drifted towards the inside rail well inside the final furlong of the opening contest, although an objection by connections of the runner-up, Soliza, failed to change the result.
Winning trainer Declan Gillespie later commented 'I didn't think she'd handle the fast ground but she won that well enough.'
Luas Line was Spencer's second winner and if the horse's success is anything to go by, the new rail system in Dublin should run quite smoothly. Luas Line never came off a straight track when coasting to a very easy two length win over newcomer Kawaaser.
Wachman later commented 'she would have done more work trotting around at home than coming here today! She may run in the Debutante Stakes at The Curragh on Sunday and Jamie (Spencer) holds her in very high regard.'
Newmarket-On-Fergus man Aengus King got off the mark as a trainer when his Dego Dancer defeated his ten rivals in the Bach Handicap Hurdle. King reported 'I've had my license for over two years but Dego Dancer has been my only runner on the track. He loves fast ground and will go for a similar race on a galloping track now.'
Andrew McNamara steered Cherry Valley to an easy win in the Turtle Island Maiden Hurdle while a well below par bumper went to Valley Ger, confidently ridden by Colman Sweeney.
Thomas Weekes.
