Rest of the Curragh action on Irish Oaks day: Roman times
Roman Turbo showed a decisive change of gear to land Group Three honours in the Anglesey Stakes at the Curragh.
Roman turns on the Turbo
Roman Turbo showed a decisive change of gear to land Group Three honours in the Jebel Ali Racecourse And Stables Anglesey Stakes at the Curragh.
Winner of a maiden over six furlongs on his debut at the Kildare track just three weeks earlier, Michael Halford's son of Holy Roman Emperor had no trouble taking the big step up in grade.
Ronan Whelan had him nicely placed in third as Mount Fuji led in the early stages, with Lil Grey second, but all seven had a chance as they entered the final two furlongs.
Round Turbo (6-1) hit top gear to see off Lil Grey by three-quarters of a length. Soul Search was a head away in third.
"We are never particularly hard on the two-year-olds at home, but we'd knew he'd come forward," said Halford.
"Ronan sat on him at the Curragh the other morning and said he felt great. We said we'd find out more here.
"He's a smart horse, very professional. He just jumps and is very straightforward. He's coming forward well.
"He wasn't in any of the big races so we'll have to talk to his owner and see what he has in mind for him.
"I'd say long-term he'll probably end up in Hong Kong."
He added: "I actually put him in the nursery to see what weight (mark) he'd get and he (handicapper) gave him a rating of 92. He'd have fairly scooted up in that, you'd like to think!
"He's only the third two-year-old we've run this year so it's hard to get a line on them. At home he just does enough.
"It was a different race to his maiden, but he was well able for it.
"He's really come to hand recently. I'd still say there could be more to come from him."
Romanised gets back on winning trail
Romanised came with a rattling run to win the Paddy Power Minstrel Stakes and register a second major success at the Curragh.
Ken Condon's classy colt last saw glory in the Irish 2,000 Guineas in May 2018, and returned to winning ways after several creditable efforts since, mainly at the top table.
Billy Lee was not perturbed by Romanised being slowly away and was content to settle him towards the rear of the field as All The King's Men went off at a strong gallop.
Frankie Dettori had James Tate's 7-4 favourite Hey Gaman in second place and kicked for home in the final quarter-mile, but Romanised (2-1) made up plenty of ground very quickly to challenge and hit the front in the last half-furlong.
The Holy Roman Emperor colt pulled away to score by a length, with Safe Voyage back in third for John Quinn.
There was no fairytale triumph for Tom Hogan's Gordon Lord Byron, who could never threaten on his 100th career start, although he was far from disgraced in fourth.
"It's lovely to see that. He's been in good shape this year," said Condon.
"He had two lovely runs in Group One company (this season) and appreciated dropping in grade. Billy was delighted with him and said when the gap came he quickened up very smartly.
"He said when he got to the front he was always just doing enough. He's gone very professional this year, more relaxed and easier to deal with. I thought it was a lovely performance.
"I'm pleased because you are nearly on a hiding to nothing, you're nearly expected to win and you'd be hoping that it works out like that, but it rarely does in racing."
He went on: "He'll come out of the race well and he'll go the Jacques le Marois next. There was just a big gap between Ascot and the Marois, the guts of eight weeks, and I just thought he'd need something to keep him at a level. I'm delighted.
"I'd probably prefer to being going back to seven with him rather than going a mile and one or a mile and two today.
"What helped was that Billy said they went a good pace. He needed them to really, to be fair. He said from halfway he was happy with him.
"I thought he quickened well there, he switched leads, like a nice horse. He said when he got there he was like, 'oh I've enough done', which is nice as well. Billy was very good on him.
"I was kind of looking at the Prix de la Foret last year (over seven), but thought maybe the round track at Longchamp would be too sharp for him. I don't know now. That opens up options."
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