Power earns himself a spot in the Breeders’ Cup after his powerful run in the National Stakes at the Curragh
The Oasis Dream 2-year-old bay/brown colt, Power, romped his way after held off the pace by jockey Seamie Heffernan to win the Group 1 Goffs National Stakes at the Curragh on 10 September, 2011.
In the field of nine horses, trainer Aidan O’Brien had four entries in the National Stakes.
Other than Power, he sent in David Livingston under P J Smullen, Furner’s Green with jockey C O’Donoghue and the Jamie Spencer ride Vault.
He was represented by four speedy colts, but power emerged on top of everyone, and the victory earned the colt an automatic berth in the Grade 2 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf.
The Goffs National Stakes is part of the Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” series, and maybe that’s what prompted Aidan O’Brien to send in four runners in one race, or perhaps the champion trainer wanted to win the National Stakes for the eighth time, and
Power provided him with that.
Aidan O’Brien was last successful in the National Stakes, way back in the year 2008, and to stop him this year, Mrs John Harrington sent her Irish Group 2 Futurity Stakes' winner, Dragon Pulse, who was sent off as the 5 to 2 favourite.
The 11 to 4 co-second choice favourite, Power, was comfortably settled in the 4th position to track leaders within striking range, while another Aidan O’Brien runner, David Livingston, shot out of the gate to set the pace.
David Livingston attracted Vault and Strait of Zanzibar to contest him for the lead, The co-second choice Talwar, trained by Jeremy Noseda, was content to hold up the rear, partnered by Tough as Nails.
In the early part of the race, the order remained the same, and with two furlongs to go, Seamie Heffernan shook up Power to let him act according to their cue.
It was still a moderate approach by the 2-year-old Power, as he went past two runners to settle in second place with a furlong to go.
With 50 yards to go, Dragon Pulse threw down his challenge and let Power know of his lurking presence, as the two young guns contested with sheer pace towards the end, but Power beat Dragon Pulse to the wire to claim the race.
Power’s overall record improved to four wins from five starts, in his first year in horseracing with the earnings of £216,384,
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