Curragh Saturday review and replays: Illinois stars to earn Derby quotes
By Alan Magee
17:50 · SAT October 07, 2023
A review of the pick of the rest of the action from the Curragh on Saturday where Illinois made a deep impression on debut.
Illinois could have a bright future after making a taking introduction at the Curragh on Saturday.
Aidan O’Brien’s son of Galileo is a half-brother to Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe champion Danedream as well as being a full-brother to Chester Vase scorer Venice Beach, although even with that bloodline he was relatively easy to back in going off at 4/1 for his first start in the Shoda Market Cafe Irish EBF Maiden.
He produced a professional performance in the hands of Seamie Heffernan and once easily making his way to the head of proceedings two furlongs from home, kept on stoutly in the closing stages for a three-length success.
Having advertised his potential over nine furlongs here, Betfair introduced the smart-looking colt at 20/1 for next year’s Derby.
An impressed Heffernan said: “He’s a beautiful colt. There’s not too many that you go down past the two and a half and they say ‘point me’. I actually got there a little sooner because I thought he’d take a bit of stoking.
“He has a lot going for him – pedigree, scope, size, action, wind. He’s pretty much a steering job and I’m going to miss these Galileo’s.”
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There was a deserved victory for Fozzy Stack’s Aussie Girl in the Darley Irish EBF Brigid’s Pastures Stakes as the daughter of Starspangledbanner struck at Listed level for the first time.
On the premises in all four outings since victorious at the track in the summer, the consistent three-year-old was sent off the 9/4 favourite to return to winning ways and made all to deny William Haggas’ raider Pinafore in the hands of Colin Keane.
“She probably deserved that as she has been very consistent in Listed and Group company and she handles those conditions well,” said the winning rider.
“She jumps, she travels and she’s tough.
“Fozzy said not to interfere with her. She usually jumps smart and he said to let her dictate on her own terms. I put my hands down, sat on her as long as I could and she picked up again in the last furlong.
“She’s a filly that should only improve with time. She is a big filly, handles those conditions well and is very tough and genuine.”
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