Heavens Gate seals treble for Moore and O'Brien

Heavens Gate made a successful transition to seven furlongs in the Group 3 Weld Park Stakes at the Curragh and plundered a treble on the card for Aidan O'Brien and Ryan Moore.

The Churchill filly has been a terrific money-spinner for connections as this was the third victory in her juvenile campaign and she also took the first prize of €150,000 in the Irish EBF Ballyhane Stakes at Naas in August.

The 11/8 favourite weaved through to hit the front a furlong out, but old rival Fiery Lucy had tracked her throughout and travelled well for Gary Carroll. She didn't get to deliver her first run behind horses, but still held a chance at the business end.

Fiery Lucky really came at Heavens Gate in the closing stages, but the leader prevailed by a neck at the line from the 8/1 runner-up. Barnavara was the subject of a major plunge from 8/1 to 9/4, but had to settle for third, beaten just over a length and a-quarter.

O'Brien said: “Ryan thinks that she'll get a mile, riding her patiently.

"He said she quickened well and waited when she got there. He was very happy with her.

“She deserved that, she's after having two very big runs.”

When asked if the Breeders' Cup could be on the agenda, he added: “It's very possible. Round the bends, loads of speed, that's what you need.”

O'Brien and Moore's first two winners on the card were Shackleton (2/5f) and Aftermath (5/6f).

Paddy Power cut Heavens Gate from 25/1 to 14/1 for the Fillies' Mile and from 40/1 to 25/1 for the 1,000 Guineas.

Additional reporting by Gary Carson