Augustus too strong for his rivals

Racing for the second time with the aid of blinkers, Augustusthestrong a two million dollar yearling, made it third time lucky on the racecourse when comprehensively accounting for his fifteen rivals in the Helena Sheahan Memorial Maiden.

A half-brother to Group 1-winning sprinter, Stravinsky, this son of A P Indy has plenty of stamina, as evidenced by his front-running effort under Seamie Heffernan in this mile contest. Sent on to win his race in the straight, it was soon apparent that the bookmakers would be paying out on another favourite as the 8/11 chance galloped on well to see off Fedora by three lengths.

Heffernan said afterwards: "He is a very well-bred horse. He is immature and backward but he is genuine. We'll try and get some blacktype with him now."