Avenante and Gary Halpin© Photo Healy Racing
Trainer John Oxx claimed the early ‘bragging rights’ of Derby weekend as his Avenante which may have had help from God, landed Friday’s feature race at the Curragh today, the E50,000 Irish Stallion Farms European Breeders Fund 'Ragusa' Handicap.
Ridden by Gary Halpin, the daughter of Champs Elysees went clear of her rivals inside the final furlong before scoring a two and a half lengths win over Intisari
Afterwards Oxx revealed "her owner (Sheila Grassick) is in Lourdes, so it has worked!"
Oxx, who won the Irish Derby with Sinndar (2000) and Alamshar (2003), added “she ran well in two premier handicaps but probably excelled herself today. She had more cover today which helped her to settle better and so quicken better at the end.
"We have already tried her in Stakes company and she seemed a little out of her depth but we may have a go at the Challenge Stakes which is now a fillies Listed race at Leopardstown. She likes a little ease but we may not get that at Leopardstown in the middle of summer.”
By Tom Weekes, quotes from Alan Magee
