Thrilling victory by Frank Dettori and Blue Bunting to collect the Irish Oaks
Blue Bunting under Frank Dettori overwhelmed the leader Banimpire by swooping down from the outside in the last stride to collect the Group 1 Irish Oaks at the Curragh on 17 July.
Blue Bunting, trained by Mahmood Al Zarooni atoned for her disappointing fourth place loss in the Grade 1 Investec Oaks. The daughter of Dynaformer landed her second major trophy of the season.
The 3-year-old grey filly won her first graded stakes win of the year earlier this year on 1 May, 2011, at Newmarket in the QIPCO 1000 Guineas for fillies.
The flamboyant Italian jockey won his last Classic at the Curragh way back in 2005 which also provided Sheikh Mohammed’s organization a win after six years at the Curragh.
Last one was the Dubawi, Dettori combination, but after an emphatic win the world saw Frank Dettori bridge a six year gap.
It was Frank Dettori’s seventh Classic win in Ireland and most importantly the champion jockey brought an end to Aidan O’Brien’s domestic run of success on 17 July.
5 to 2 favourite, Blue Bunting was sent as a second choice favourite and it seemed that she was beaten coming in to the final furlong, but she responded in earnest to Frank Dettori’s urging in the final furlong.
The 3-year-old showed a remarkable turn of foot with less than four furlong to play. The pair looked down and out inside the traffic, but the brilliant Frank Dettori decided to switch her to the outside.
It seemed that all she wanted was a little day light, and the initiation of the mother of comebacks’ began. From fifth with quarter of a mile to spare, Blue Bunting was in a mood for a late rally.
The complexion of the race changed and inside the final furlong the pair flew past everyone to meet the 8 to 1 favourite J S Bolger trained Banimpire.
The successful chase completed and Banimpire met a cruel fate, losing to Blue Bunting by half a length finishing just before Wonder of Wonders, the 5 to 4 favourite.
The Aidan O’Brien trained Wonder of Wonders came second in the English Grade 1 English Oaks at Epsom. Dancing Rain, who won the Grade 1 English Oaks couldn’t make an impression as she finished fifth of nine.
Frank Dettori who doesn’t often rides at the Curragh, said that it’s a lucky race course for him.
The early runners seems to have it covered as Dancing Rain was the first to make a move while Banompire and Wonder of Wonders raced in tandem, but soon Banimpire led the lot and took control with a good quart of a mile to go.
Blue Bunting spoiled everyone’s evening but her and her connections, who won a lost race in the end.
Tags: