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Punchestown 2024
Punchestown 2024
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- Authority hits stride late on to win on debut
Gary Carson
Authority hits stride late on to win on debut
Eminent Authority (red cap) comes to claim Lancastria
© Photo Healy Racing
The Joseph O'Brien-trained Eminent Authority overcame greenness to get up late on and make a winning debut in the opening maiden at Killarney.
The son of Frankel went to post a 13/2 shot in the mile-three contest and took time to find his feet around the sharp bends.
Once Declan McDonogh got him straightened up in the closing stages he chased down Lancastria inside the final furlong to record a length victory.
The winner is a full-brother to recent Vintage Crop Stakes winner Master Of Reality.
“They went a nice even pace and it just took him a while to negotiate the bends as he's so big,” said McDonogh.
“The second time around up the straight he came on the bridle and I got a nice split down the inside. He hit the line well and is a grand big horse.
“He didn't really realise that there was a sharp bend coming up first time around but then he gathered himself half way down the back and started to carry me better.
“The penny dropped well in the straight, I got a bit of room, and I was always going to win then when I got out.
“He battled because he had a hard time getting around the track. He'd be nicer horse somewhere like the Curragh.”