Mango Diva (pink) gets up to score under Ryan Moore from Lahinch Classics (light blue) and My Titania (yellow)© Photo Healy Racing
Mango Diva just got up on the line to beat Lahinch Classics in the feature race at the Curragh this afternoon, the Group Two Kilboy Estate Stakes.
The Michael Stoute trained four-year-old daughter of Holy Roman Emperor won the Denny Cordell Lavarack at Gowran on her last visit to Ireland in September, and she finished fourth and fifth on her two starts since this season. Odeliz finished in front of her on both those occasions but she got her revenge on that rival today when sent off a 9/2 chance (opened at 4's, touched 5's).
Ridden by Ryan Moore (later given one day ban - see below) she was settled in a share of third, coming under pressure from two furlongs out.
She only really got going inside the final furlong, keeping on strongly in the final 50 yards, getting up on the line to score by a short head.
Lahinch Classics, 8/1 this morning and returned 5/1 from 6’s on-course, done everything right, hitting the front under two furlongs out, but she had to settle for second under Wayne Lordan for David Wachman. My Titania went off the even money favourite and while she had every chance from the furlong pole she could only manage a disappointing third, a further half a length back under Declan McDonogh for John Oxx.
Michael Stoute's travelling head lad James Savage said afterwards: "I’m glad we didn't get too much rain. She is a good moving filly and she wants top of the ground.
"When we got the shower last night I was praying it would stop but it just made it nice for her. She is progressing and going forward.
"That could be her perfect trip but she does stay ten. She just gets caught on her head a bit over a mile.
"The boss and the owner (Antoniades Family) will have a look at the programme now but maybe she will follow Dank’s route, hopefully."
After the race Ryan Moore quickly disappeared to the weighing room reportedly feeling unwell.
STEWARDS REPORTS
The Stewards interviewed R.L. Moore, rider of Mango Diva (GB), winner, concerning his use of the whip in the closing stages of this race. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned. Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence the Stewards were of the opinion R.L. Moore was in breach of Regulation 10 3 (f) in that he had used his whip with excessive frequency and Regulation 10 4 in that he failed to give his mount time to respond, and having taken his good record into account, they suspended him for 1 raceday.
J.P. O'Brien, rider of Peace Burg (FR), trained by A.P.O'Brien, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount was lame on finishing
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
