Johann Strauss goes clear of Atlantic Sea over a furlong out© Photo Healy Racing
Johann Strauss got off the mark on the sixth time of asking as he took the opener at Dundalk, the Dundalk Racecourse Of The Year Maiden, scoring under Joseph O'Brien for his father Aidan.
The son of High Chaparral finished second on his third start in the Group One Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster last October, and he surprisingly suffered defeat on his seasonal reappearance at Leopardstown last month, when not getting a clear run.
He could only manage seventh when sent off favourite for the valuable Tattersalls Millions 3yo Trophy at Newmarket on his last start, and dropped back to maiden company again today, he was sent off the 4/11 favourite, having opened this morning at 2/5.
Wearing a hood for the first time today, and racing over seven furlongs for just the second time, he was settled in second.
He improved to dispute the lead with Atlantic Sea turning for home, and when shaken up he went to the front a furlong and a half out, keeping on well from there to score convincingly by five and a half lengths.
Atlantic Sea kept on to take second at 5/1 under Chris Hayes for Paul Deegan, while Sunlit Rome was a further five and a half lengths back in third at 66/1 under Ian Queally for Pat Flynn.
Joseph O'Brien said afterwards: "It's about time I got it right on him!
"He has always worked very well but he has disappointed a few times. To be fair to him maybe he doesn't stay very far.
"He shows plenty of pace and he can be keen. We might have been running him over the wrong trip, he was entitled to win today and hopefully he will progress.
"He seemed to relax well today and the hood might have helped him.
"All the time I've been riding him I've been missing the kick on him and have been trying to get him to relax, but today I through the reins at him and let him race up there.
"It might have been a combination of the hood and the trip that made him relax better.
"Seven furlongs or a mile might be his trip. He has plenty of ability and hopefully we will get a bit more out of him."
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
