Streetcar gets his maiden out of the way

It's eleven years since Alamshar won the Irish Derby for John Oxx and tomorrow Ponfeigh carries the hopes of Currabeg in the Dubai Duty Free-backed centrepiece. Streetcar To Stars got the weekend off to a good start for Ponfeigh's trainer and jockey, John Oxx and Declan McDonogh, when landing the Hanlon Concrete European Breeders Fund Maiden, the last at the Curragh.

On the back of a Listed race second placing last time, Streetcar To Stars was sent off a 4/9 chance for this ten furlong event and not surprisingly back in trip Declan McDonogh elected to make all on the Sea The Stars colt.

Ballydoyle hope Annus Mirabilis threatened danger a furlong out but Streetcar To Stars was never stronger than at the finish and crossed the line three lengths to the good.

Oxx revealed: "It's a new experience for him as he doesn't lead much at home.

"We had to bowl along and make it a test of stamina. He got a bit lonely out in front but when he got a little bit of company he stretched on again and he won nicely.

"I wanted to get the maiden out of the way and there was nothing for him over a mile and a half.

"We might run in something like the Ballyroan at Leopadstown at the start of August now.

"He has some good engagements after that and we might give him an entry at Doncaster (the English Leger).

"He's a nice horse and I think he's a horse that's on the upgrade.

"I think there's a lot more to come from him.

"We almost left him in the Irish Derby to see if we could get a bit of prize-money with him but we thought it better to go and win a race first." (GC & EM)