Roman Empire annexes Gowran gold

Aidan O'Brien's Roman Empire (5/2) improved upon his debut fourth with an all-the-way success in the juvenile maiden over a mile at Gowran Park.

Seamie Heffernan soon sent the Galileo colt into the lead from stall seven and the pair dictated the fractions.

At the halfway stage Roman Empire stacked the field up behind him but there was still plenty in his tank.

He hugged the rail up the home straight and really powered away inside the final furlong to move clear.

He hit the line a comfortable two lengths ahead of 6/4 favourite McPherson who did his beat work in the final furlong to get up for second. Rave N Contagion (25/1) put in a good shift before dropping to third in the closing stages.

"The maidens at this time of year probably don't take much winning. He's an okay type of horse with a turn of foot and he won well,” said Heffernan.

"Aidan said there was a lot of pace in the pedigree and I just had that in the back of my mind.

"He probably should progress. He's been nurtured along so I suppose Group/Classic material next year is where they really want to end up.

"Unusual for a Galileo I'd be happy enough to say a mile is very comfortable for him. Maybe back a furlong starting off next year."

Roman Empire was fourth in a maiden over seven furlongs at this track in July.

Additional reporting by Gary Carson