Antiquus and Joseph O'Brien© Photo Healy Racing
Antiquus followed up last Friday night's course win at Dundalk when making all in the opening Christmas Party Packages At Dundalk Stadium Handicap at that venue this evening, proving the first ever winner around the newly aligned 'false rail' early in the home straight.
Ridden by Jospeh O'Brien the daughter of Footstepsinthesand stayed on well for a length and a quarter success over Majestic Timeline
The six runner event was never likely to see trouble in-running but winning trainer, and ex-jockey, Joanna Morgan later praised the introduction of a 'false rail' entering the straight, saying “the rail worked well; I don't know why it didn't happen earlier!”
She added “she (Antiquus) was always so keen to get on with the job at home and that's why I wanted to drop her back in trip; she wouldn't settle.
“She did that so readily against quite efficient sprinters. Maybe like her full brother (stablemate Ancient Sands) she might win another one.
“She got quite a hike for her win the last time but she loves this surface and there's a race for her here again in a fortnight over six furlongs. Maybe after that we'll leave her off until the summer.”
Among the translations for 'antiquus' in Latin are old or ancient, along with 'gone by', an appropriate tip-in-itself for a filly officially 4lbs well-in!
By Thomas Weekes, quotes from Gary Carson
