The Antarctic (near side) beats Wodao © Photo Healy Racing
6/4 favourite The Antarctic a full-brother to top class sprinter Battaash, made a winning debut in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Race.
It was close in the market and also in the race itself between the winner and Wodao who had a run under his belt. The pair were always prominent and stayed towards the far side of the track as a couple of runners moved to the stands’ side on the soft ground. Narrowly in front over a furlong out, the winner did enough for Ryan Moore (first time riding at Tipperary) to beat Wodao by half a length.
Winning trainer Aidan O'Brien said of the Dark Angel colt: "He is a very fast horse so we were a little worried about the soft ground first time out. We were delighted with him and Donnacha (O'Brien) liked the second horse and we knew that too.
"We knew it was going to be tough and wasn't going to be straightforward but you'd be very happy with him.
"He is very fast and will definitely have another run before Royal Ascot. He always looked a horse who would be more comfortable at five (furlongs) than six - he is very quick and his brother was like that too."
Paddy Power go 8/1 (from 14s) about the winner for the Coventry Stakes.
Quotes from Thomas Weekes
