Galileo’s Choice, Steps To Freedom and Aklan have their eyes glued on the prize money of the Challenge Stakes
The Challenge Stakes will see Galileo’s Choice, Steps To Freedom and Aklan battle over the decisive strides of the mile and six furlongs race on Thursday, 19th July at Leopardstown. The €26,000 prize money has attracted a line-up six three-year-old and above runners.
Leading with the 11 to 4 shot and a recent bruise on the profile is Galileo’s six-year-old bay gelding, Galileo’s Choice. He struck a hat-trick just during the previous season and has conquered the new season by claiming the debut.
Bred by Patrick F. Kelly, the six-year-old won the Easter Festival 8th-10th April Novice Hurdle on 15th February, 2012 at Fairyhouse over two miles.
The favourite winner was paired with jockey, Mr. R. P. McNamara and the two won by the margin of 4 ½ lengths. He tracked the leaders from the third position on the track of four. By the time there remained the last two furlongs, the six-year-old held on to the grip and the pace before crossing the wire.
The D.K Weld trained ended seventh in the Grade 1 William Hill Supreme Novices’ Hurdle on 13th March, 2012 at Cheltenham over two miles and half a furlong.
Steps To Freedom, the 9 to 4 shot for the race won the Boylesports.Com Handicap on 12th July, 2012 at Dundalk race course over two miles. Under the supervision of the jockey, Fran Berry, the duo won by the margin of 4 ½ lengths.
With the last two furlongs waiting to get concluded, the Mrs. John Harrington trained was fourth on the track of ten. Steps To Freedom went just by his name by taking over final furlong and leading it, and went through the wire comfortably.
The third testing contestant for the race is the three-year-old grey gelding, Aklan who won the Lenebane Stakes (Listed Race) on 9th July, 2012 at Roscommon over a mile and four furlongs.
Dalakhani’s gelding was in pursuit of the leaders, gained the third position with four more furlongs to go and then made smooth progress which got hindered by the favourite runner-up of the race, Massiyn, who missed the chance just by a short head’s difference.
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