Sir John Lavery gets back to winning ways© Photo Healy Racing
Sir John Lavery gave Aidan O'Brien a double in Cork this evening when powering home in the Listed Platinum Stakes over a mile.
Since winning his maiden at Gowran last October, the son of Galileo had finished sixth in a Listed Derby Trial at Lingfield and ninth in a Group Two at Royal Ascot - both over a mile and a half.
His stablemate Whitecliffsofdover weakened out of the lead with less that two furlongs to go. At this stage Sir John Lavery was getting into top gear on the outer and he charged to the front a furlong and a half out for Seamie Heffernan.
He had Rose De Pierre on his inside for company but asserted in the final half furlong to score by three lengths. He was a well supported 5/2 favourite.
Rose De Pierre, who won this race last year, finished second at 5/1.
Aidan O'Brien said: "We thought he was a very smart horse but he disappointed in his two runs and obviously we were stretching him to far.
"He is from Hawk Wing's family and you'd be delighted with him today and Seamus was very happy with him.
"I'd say the ground wouldn't bother him but what he loves is the high tempo; going 1m4f they were going a bit steady for him.
"It's the trainer's fault he has entries over further but we'll obviously come back and stay at a mile. Wayne (Lordan) was riding him work and he thought it could be that he was quick and that's what John (Magnier) thought himself.
"We'll stick to that trip and he'll go back to Group level now; you'd also love to have him in training as a four-year-old as he's a fine, big, powerful horse."
Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes
