Hawk Wing further enhanced his burgeoning reputation with a tremendously impressive victory in the Group One National Stakes at the Curragh yesterday.
Settled in rear in the early stages, the odds-on favourite moved up smoothly on the outside to take over just before the furlong pole, and went on to record a facile 2 1/2-length verdict over Naheef. The time of 1 minute 20.9 seconds was the fastest ever over 7f at the Curragh.
'He's still a little bit green, but is a real class act,' said a clearly thrilled Aidan O'Brien of his and Michael Kinane's second of three winners during the afternoon, and his sixteenth at Group One level this season.
'There is no panic over his immediate future, and we may well decide to leave him off for the season after that. He's got plenty of experience now, which is important for a two year-old.'
Juveniles Salentino and Bringontheclowns captured the two juvenile maidens on the card to complete the O'Brien trio. The latter was finally ending a run of seconds with a game effort to deny Bella Bella.
O'Brien's 2000 National Stakes hero Beckett was sent off favourite on his first outing since in the Listed Solonaway Stakes, but was narrowly outpointed by Magic Cove. Con Collins' charge responded gamely to Pat Shanahan's urgings to prevail by a head after a sustained duel throughout the final furlong.
Dearly, one of three runners from the John Oxx stable, came out on top in an exciting finish to the Group 3 Blandford Stakes.
The Rahy filly was produced with a perfectly-timed challenge by Fran Berry to defeat Affianced by 3/4 length, with Molomo an unlucky fourth after repeatedly being denied a clear run in the straight.
'I thought she might be the best of ours, as she has been working well lately,' said the successful handler. 'Johnny (Murtagh, who partnered Josh's Pearl) generously suggested Fran have the mount as he has ridden her before and they get on well,' he continued.
Miss Beabea is a possible for the Goffs Autumn Bonus at Cork next weekend after deservedly landing the Listed Blenheim Stakes.
The well-supported 11/4 shot had performed very creditably at Group One level on her last two starts and made the most of the drop in grade to see off Alluring Park by 1 1/2 lengths.
