Search
Punchestown 2024
Punchestown 2024
- irishracing.com
- Punchestown
- News
- Review naas 12th May
Review naas 12th May
< Akdarena could be set for a trip to Epsom after blazing to an all-the-way success in the Group Three Blue Wind Stakes at Naas.
Jim Bolger's charge made all when landing a narrow verdict over the reopposing Unity at Navan last month but that rival was well in arrears this time around.
Kevin Manning had the 7-2 shot smartly away and sporting her usual blinkers, Akdarena kept up her relentless gallop all the way to the line to triumph by seven lengths over Indiana Gal < Grace O'Malley the 100-30 favourite, was only third.
Akdarena is entered in the Investec Oaks at Epsom as well as the Ribblesdale Stakes at Royal Ascot and the Darley Irish Oaks in July, but Bolger is in no hurry to finalise plans.
"There'll be no decision this evening but she's definitely in the mix," he said.
"I don't do anything at home with her. She just canters and I try to make sure she is well.
"She seemed in very good form but you couldn't say she had improved until this evening and it appears she has.
"It's not often you see a race settled at halfway. The next day will be her big day."
Bolger and Manning were enjoying their second winner of the evening as Radharcnafarraige had earlier claimed the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Maiden.
"She's good. The further she goes the better but that's her trip at the moment," Bolger added.
The Aidan O'Brien-trained Zoffany built on the favourable impression he made on his racecourse bow with another bloodless success in the Fishery Lane Race.
Sent off the 1-5 favourite, Johnny Murtagh only had to give him the signal a furlong out and Zoffany picked up in style to win by an easy three and a half lengths.
"He's a very nice horse," said Murtagh, who soon made it a double with Bewitched (12-1) in the Naas Racecourse Handicap.
The grey filly took it up over a furlong out and was not hard-pushed to hold Mujaazef by two lengths.
"I was hoping she'd improve a fair bit from two to three. She was well up on her two-year-old weight which is usually a good sign," said winning trainer Charles O'Brie