An Saighdiur notches a magnificent victory in the Paddy Power Sprint at the Curragh
When the going got tough, it was Andrew Slattery trained, An Saighdiur, who brought his best game forth, and claimed the victory in the Paddy Power Sprint (Premier Handicap) at the Curragh on 30th June, 2012.
The five-year-old bay gelding efficiently tackled the 6 ½ furlong track under rider, M.A. Cleere.
Things did not look too bright for the bay gelding who raced with a 20 to 1 chance, but his determination took him forward, and he managed to defeat the Tracey Collins trained, Arctic, by 1 ½ lengths.
It did not go the way it was expected to go for the race favourite, Gordon Lord Byron, who finished half-length behind the runner-up in third.
An Saighdiur, the son of Acclamation, out of mare Brief Sentiment, raced with his winning form which he demonstrated earlier on 9th March, 2012, when he raced as a favourite at Dundalk in the Your Local Value Centre Handicap
at about five furlongs.
The team of An Saighdiur and rider, D.P. McDonogh was in contention with, Almadaa, and his jockey, Fergal Lynch, but it was the former who emerged victorious by a margin of 1 length.
On the same card, the Dubai Duty Free Millennium Millionaire European Breeders Fund Fillies Handicap (Premier Handicap) also took place, and it was the Joseph G. Murphy trained, Rock On Ciara, who got lucky and claimed the victory over the distance
of seven furlongs.
However, to say that Rock On Ciara claimed the victory on sheer luck would do her injustice, since she won by a margin of 4 ¼ lengths over Kevin Prendergast’s charge, Redoutable.
Referring to the soft to heavy surface of the track, and the performance of the six-year-old mare, the trainer discussed her next race. Murphy is searching for a group race for his runner and stated:
"I was a bit worried about the ground and she'll go for the Stillorgan Handicap at Leopardstown now. Hopefully we'll be able to get a bit of black type with her. She's an improving filly and she's very game."
It was a true test of his ability, because the surface of the track was not easy to handle and it can be said that An Saighdiur and Rock On Ciara passed that test.
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