Rider Johnny Murtagh scores with Definightly and Sharestan at the Curragh on 30th June, 2012
When push came to shove, it was Roger Charlton’s charge, Definightly, who stepped up, and succeeded in the Group 3 Woodies D.I.Y. Sapphire Stakes at the Curragh on 30th June, 2012.
Paired with jockey Johnny Murtagh, the six-year-old bay and brown gelding justified his status as race favourite, when he exhibited superior racing skills on the 5 furlong track - which was labelled soft to heavy.
The son of Diktat, out of mare Perfect Night, did not seem to have a chance in the beginning, but closed in on the Ronald Harris trained, Judge 'n Jury in the closing stages, and won by a margin of half-length.
The winning jockey expressed his thoughts on Definightly’s performance and stated:
"The one in front quickened up very well. He drifted out in front of me so we got the gap between him and the rail. He battled well - it was tough going.”
Previously, the S. Emmet and Miss R. Emmet trained runner has been racing over six furlongs, but he adjusted well to the distance of five furlongs. The jockey commented on this and stated:
"Roger said he'd been running over six but that the five wouldn't bother him and it didn't. He got there in the end. I thought I won, but I was a bit away (from the second) so I wasn't sure. I knew I hit the line well and the horse's head was down."
Curragh seemed to be lucky for the rider, who also scored in the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championship Celebration Stakes (Listed Race) on the same card with the John M. Oxx trained, Sharestan, who raced as a favourite and prevailed on the 1 mile track.
The son of Shamardal, foaled by mare Sharesha, swiftly covered the large distance, and broke through the wire first.
He managed to down the runner-up, Mizani, by a margin of 3 ¾ lengths. The soft to heavy surface of the track hindered the four-year-old’s run a little, but he came out on top.
John M. Oxx commented that he is at a mile, but "he didn't really stay in the heavy ground.”
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