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Michael Graham

Michael Graham

Copia Verborum writes a 33/1 script in the Curragh

Fri 8th Jun 2018, 18:05

Copia Verborum hits the frontCopia Verborum hits the front
© Photo Healy Racing

Copia Verborum served up a 33/1 surprise on debut in the seven furlong juvenile maiden at the Curragh.

Kevin Manning switched to ride this Vocalised colt as his mount Vocatus, also trained by Jim Bolger, was ruled out due to a temperature.

Copia Verborum raced in fourth before being switched out by Manning with two and a half furlongs left. Cape Of Good Hope led the way but was preseed by Motashakel passing the two pole with Copia Verborum now in third.

The latter was ridden outside the final furlong and thundered home to hit the front from Motashakel in the final 100 yards.

He won going away by a length and three quarters at 33/1.

Runner-up Motashakel was a 7/1 shot. Zander got up for third at 4/1 from the heavily punted 8/11 favourite Cape Of Good Hope.

Jim Bolger said: “I was a bit surprised that Kevin didn’t go for him initially. He’d been working nicely but I suppose he was swayed by the experience of the other fella.

“He came home strongly, and will be able to step up (in class). He’s got an interesting pedigree and comes from the family of Turret Rocks and Goldikova.”

Kevin Manning added: "He showed us good signs at home, he had been working well. He travelled well in behind and picked up when the penny dropped. He really picked up well for me in the last 100 yards.

"I think he can (make up into a Stakes horse). I think he'll step forward. He's still a little bit raw and the penny only really dropped in the last 100 yards. I think there is plenty of improvement in him."

Additional reporting by Alan Magee

1st
33/1
Tote €48.30 €6.40
2nd
1.75L
7/1
€1.70
3rd
2.5L
4/1
€1.40
4th
nk
8/11Fav
About Michael Graham
Michael has worked in horse racing journalism for more than 15 years, having also written a weekly betting column on Gaelic football and hurling for a newspaper. He is involved in writing the My Racing Story features on this website. He spent a year in South Africa completing a Diploma in Business Administration and also studied Newspaper Journalism in Belfast. He enjoys playing 5-a-side football on a regular basis.