Urban Oasis and Jamie Powell after their win in the Ulster Derby© Photo Healy Racing
Urban Oasis quickened up in style to claim the Boylesports Ulster Derby at Down Royal today under a cool hold up ride from Jamie Powell.
The John Feane-trained gelding had rattled off three wins under the 7lb claimer last month before finishing second on his most recent outing at Gowran just six days ago having missed the kick.
He was settled towards the rear in today's €100,000 contest and Powell had to bide his time in the straight waiting for a gap.
The 9/1 shot came between front-runner Manu Et Corde and 6/4 favourite Cougar with over a furlong to run and soon found another gear to hit the front.
The Fast Company gelding drifted over to the rail inside the final furlong, causing Manu Et Corde to check.
After a stewards enquiry his length-and-three-quarter victory over the staying on Cougar was confirmed.
Feane said: "He was a little bit unlucky the last day when nothing went right, so I just said to Jamie to take a chance today and go down the fence and see how it would work out. Everything worked out perfectly.
"First go at a mile and five basically and he did it well.
"He's only small and he's running in better races with a lighter weight. The last day he had 9st odd but it was a lot of lead when you were putting it on his back, but he carried it and ran well. I definitely thought he had a chance today with the light weight.
"We have had a couple of Listed winners but this could possibly be the most valuable race we have won.
"There's a three-year-old handicap in York over a mile and six at the Ebor meeting that we are looking at. We'll freshen him up for that and he should get into it. A galloping track will suit him."
(Quotes by Michael Graham)
