L to r Pensylvania Avenue (Declan McDonogh, winner), Jungle Jungle (3rd) & Sky Seven (2nd)© Photo Healy Racing
The Nick Bradley Racing Club-owned and Gordon Elliott-trained Pensylvania Avenue landed a good gamble in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden (DIV I) at Dundalk tonight.
On his first run since a mid-field debut finish behind subsequent Group One winner, Ten Sovereigns, at the Curragh in August, Declan McDonogh's mount Pensylvania Avenue went off the strongly backed 11/8 market-leader here.
Supported in from 2/1 on track and much bigger earlier, Pensylvania Avenue needed the strength of McDonogh in the saddle, to get him home by a head from promising newcomer Sky Seven
Coincidentally enough Pensylvania Avenue was bred by Oghill House Stud, whilst Sky Seven was also bred by the Monasterevin farm, and Jimmy Hyland.
“That was good. He didn't learn much the first day, albeit it was a hot maiden behind Ten Sovereigns,” reported McDonogh.
“We've always liked the horse, he's a relation of Washington DC. He's still unfurnished and he's probably going to improve as a three-year-old.
“He loved the surface. I sat on him in Gordon's a couple of weeks ago and thought that he'd came on a good bit from the maiden run.
“I know he didn't win by a wide margin but I felt he was rolling a little bit left under pressure and was parking up a little bit in front on me.
“He's never been grabbed hold of before but anyway I was delighted with him.
“I think he is a nice horse in the making but I think the penny hasn't even dropped yet. He's still learning.”
(GC & EM)
