Bandua and Declan McDonogh© Photo Healy Racing
Bandua justified favouritism when running out a cosy winner of the ten-furlong rated race at Cork.
Dermot Weld 's charge had won his maiden over course and distance in some style last month and went to post a 4/5 shot today having traded as big as 5/4 in the morning.
He tracked Whirling Dervish before Declan McDonogh asked his mount to quicken into the lead a-furlong-and-a-half from home.
The son of The Factor kept on well inside the final furlong to record a length-and-three-quarter success.
It was a double on the card for Weld after the earlier victory of Jewel Maker and he said:-
"He'll run in the Gallinule Stakes next and if everything goes right he could go for the Irish Derby. Time reveals all but he had 9st10lbs on his back there and it was a good performance.
"He (McDonogh) got there sooner than ideal but he is just a lovely big, improving colt and it's nice to have a good horse for Calumet.
"It's too early to say if he compares with Harzand as Harzand was much more forward at this stage as this horse is 17 hands and is only coming now and that's why I took all my time with him.
"He never wants it firm but he'd love better, good ground and will be a better horse on good ground. He is a real nice horse in the making."
(Quotes by Tom Weekes)
