No one can match the powerful run of Great Heavens as she approaches the line© Photo Healy Racing
The 5/4 favourite Great Heavens came from the clouds to land the penultimate classic of the season the Darley Irish Oaks for her trainer John Gosden with birthday boy William Buick in the saddle (24 today).
The daughter of Galileo raced in third in the early stages and was pushed along in fifth with three furlongs left to race.
She was boxed in on the rails and looked beaten two furlong out but she took off when switched to the outside a furlong and a half from home and she ran on strongly from there to lead inside the final 100 yards and go on to win by three lengths at the line. Shirocco Star hit the front three furlongs out and it looked as if she would hold on under Johnny Murtagh but she had no answer to the powerful run of the winner and had to settle for second at 7/1 for her trainer Hughie Morrison.
The 9/4 second favourite Princess Highway for Dermot Weld and Pat Smullen had every chance in the straight but just couldn’t find the same turn of pace that saw her win the Ribblesdale at Royal Ascot last time out and she finished a further length and three parts back in third. Was finished a further half a length back in fourth for Aidan & Joseph O’Brien after behind hampered by the runner-up under a furlong out.
The stewards held an enquiry due to that incident but made no change to the result. Johnny Murtagh did pick up a 2 day careless riding ban.
John Gosden said afterwards: "She got boxed in and William just couldn’t do anything.
"I had nearly given up hope two furlongs out but she is classy and answered a big question in the final furlong.
"She will get an entry in the Yorkshire Oaks and the St Leger.
"There's no reason that a filly of her class couldn't do something like that - someone has got to take on Camelot!"
Buick said afterwards: "What a filly - that's certainly one of the best birthday presents I've ever had.
"It got a bit tricky halfway there and I was kind of cursing myself at one stage.
"She was the best horse by far in the race. She picks up and she quickens.
"She's a very good filly and I think people have underestimated her.
"It was a good training performance by John Gosden.
"She didn't really come to hand early in the season and he's just given her time and confidence and picked up nice races in between.
"She came here with her confidence sky high."
Paddy Powers, Ladbrokes and Boylesports go 6/1 about the winner for the St Leger at Doncaster. Stan James also go 6's, while they make her a 20/1 shot for the Arc.
After the race the Stewards suspended Johnny Murtagh, rider of Shirocco Star, for two days for careless riding.
The attendance at the Curragh this afternoon was 5,920, about 200 up on the corresponding day last year.
Betting figures were down both with the Tote and the bookmakers. The Tote aggregate of €384,878 was 11.9% lower than Oaks day last year, while the betting ring was even more severely hit.
The bookmakers turnover was down 21% at €391,289, with 41 bookmakers operating today (two less than 12 months ago).
(On-course reporting by Alan Magee)
