Imaging picks up Ship to set up Guineas trial

Imaging chased down Ship Of Dreams in the closing stages to make a winning reappearance at Cork this afternoon.

The Dermot Weld-trained colt had looked a smart prospect last season when taking the second of his two outings in fine style at Limerick.

He was sent to post an 8/11 shot on his seasonal debut but looked in trouble as front-runner Ship Of Dreams poached a few lengths on his rivals two-and-a-half furlongs from home in the mile race.

Declan McDonogh got a good tune out of Imaging as he gave chase going to the furlong pole and the Khalid Abdullah-owned colt quickened up smartly inside the final furlong.

The son of Oasis Dream got to the front-runner 50 yards from the line and was actually a cosy winner at the death as he recorded a two-length success.

"The ground is probably more testing than he'd appreciate and when he won in Limerick I said I'd run him in a 2,000 Guineas Trial (at Leopardstown) and nothing has changed and he'll run there next,” said Weld.

“I appreciate that is over seven furlongs but that doesn't worry me as my only worry today was getting the mile and 100 yards.

"He's a big gross, great looking horse and I just wanted to get a run into him because all mine are three weeks behind and my earlier runners got tired. Declan was under strict instructions to take his time.

"Declan was an apprentice with me years ago and the last time he rode for me was when he won the Concorde Stakes (with Anam Allta in 2011) at Tipperary on Arc weekend."

“I have retained no rider for the year and Leigh Roche was in Dubai today (on unplaced Hit The Bid) and Chris Hayes rode very well for me at Naas and I've no retained rider and will use a variety of jockeys.

"I've been spoiled for 34 years that I've had Mick Kinane and Pat Smullen and it is hard to believe they covered that length of time (as stable jockeys). They are two brilliant men and at the moment the logical thing to do is not to retain anybody."

(Quotes by Tom Weekes)