Performance Review
September 2019
Although we didn’t have a huge amount of bullets to fire at the focal point of the month, Longines Irish Champions Weekend, there were definite positives to take from September here at Rathbride and we’re looking forward to hopefully seeing out the season strongly.
Tipitena ran a blinder when finishing third in the Group 3 Denny Cordell Lavarack & Lanwades Stud Fillies Stakes at Gowran, continuing her good season. We’re looking towards the Group 3 Darley Pride Stakes over ten furlongs at Newmarket on October 11 for her and fingers crossed she can bring her best.
An ease in the ground is important for Downforce and he put up a big performance when finishing second to Speak In Colours in the Renaissance Stakes (Group 3) at the Curragh. A 10lb rise for his run sees him go up to a mark of 106, so we’ll now be looking at Listed company in the Wentworth Stakes over six furlongs at Doncaster next.
Bongiorno did us proud when just missing out on picking up another bit of black type in the Listed Oyster Stakes at Galway. She definitely goes through soft ground and we’re considering sending her to Bath for the Beckford Stakes next month, another Listed race over a mile and six furlongs.
It was good to see Ickworth back to form in the Listed Harry Rosebery Stakes at Ayr, finishing third to a pair of Irish-trained fillies, who were in receipt of 3lb from us. If the ground is okay for her, it’s possible she could join Tipitena on the journey to Newmarket on October 11, with the Group 3 Cornwallis Stakes an option. She also holds an entry in the Mercury Stakes (Group 3) at Dundalk next month.
Royal Canford got the job done at the Curragh
We brought Royal Canford back to six furlongs at the Curragh and I was delighted to see her open her account, having previously finished a good second at Listowel. I thought the handicapper was very hard on her by raising her 7lb initially, and after the runner-up won a Cork handicap, our filly was raised another 4lb to 80. The ease in the ground last time did her no harm and the plan is for her to run at Navan over five furlongs next month.
It was nice to get Thiswaycadeaux back to winning ways at Roscommon on heavy - she really loves that softer ground. I also felt the handicapper came down a little hard on her by raising her 9lb and we might look for a Listed race where the ground is to her liking.
Jungle Jane stepped forward nicely from her return at Tipperary to run well in a Dundalk handicap when unfortunately something caught her eye and caused her to run to her right late on. I think she has a nice rating and I’m looking forward to a winter programme with her. She has the option of the Mercury Stakes (Group 3) at Dundalk next month.
Another Bungle Inthejungle filly of ours that pleased me this month was Call Of The Jungle, who showed some promise on her second start at Listowel but doesn’t want the ground too soft.
I was obviously very happy with how Epona Plays ran in the colours of Lorenzo Forni when fourth on her debut at Gowran in what looked a decent maiden. She’s a lovely Australia filly owned by great people and hails from the same family as Dolce Strega and Bumbasina.
It was a great run from Alice Milligan at Navan when she was unfortunate to just get headed close home in an apprentice handicap under Nathan Crosse. Hopefully she can go one better in due course.
Windham Belle ran a cracker when second in a premier nursery at Cork but I was disappointed with her run on Longines Irish Champions Weekend at the Curragh. Her next start will be at Dundalk in a seven furlong nursery when we’ll try her in a visor. Fingers crossed she can leave her Curragh run behind.
Yenillik has been extremely consistent and ran well again when fourth at Cork. He tries very hard so hopefully he can get his head in front. Musical Rue stepped forward nicely from her debut at Down Royal when coming home in fourth at Naas. We’re looking forward to next year with her.