Snapraeterea, left, sees them off from the front© Photo Healy Racing
Snapraeterea made all in the Listed Owenstown Stud Stakes at Naas to give Joseph O'Brien a double on the day.
The 5/2 favourite broke smartly under Declan McDonogh and dictated all the way. He had his opposition on the stretch coming into the straight but Njord responded to pressure to challenge him racing to the final furlong.
Njord cracked in the final 150 yards but Lustown Baba (8/1) wasn't done with, and delivered a strong finish, but couldn't reel in the winner. She was beaten by half a length. Njord finished two lengths off the winner in third.
Assistant trainer Brendan Powell said: “He really toughed it out there. He enjoys making the running and will stay a mile. He had a couple of runs and was fit and well.
“His third in the Beresford last year was a great run, and I remember Joseph saying after that he wished he’d made the running that day.
“He settled there after a couple of furlongs and Declan has given him a brilliant ride. It’s lovely for the owner John Farrell who is a really nice man and has all the family with us."
O'Brien's other winner at Naas was Andreas Vesalius in the Coolmore Stud Calyx Race.
The Stewards interviewed D.P. McDonogh, rider of Snapraeterea, concerning his use of the whip in the closing stages of this race. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned who accepted that he was in breach of the regulation and apologised. Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence the Stewards were satisfied that D. P. McDonogh was in breach of Regulation 10.3.g, excessive frequency. Having considered D. P. McDonogh's record in this regard the Stewards suspended D. P. McDonogh for two racedays.
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
