Harry’s Hill prevails in blanket Curragh finish

Martin and Wayne Hassett team up for handicap honours.

Five horses were separated by less than half a length in the Dubai Duty Free Rockingham Handicap at the Curragh and it was Harry’s Hill who had his head just in front where it mattered most.

The favourite, Jon Riggens, reared up as the stalls opened losing all chance and it was the English raider Michaela’s Boy, who was to the fore throughout.

Martin Hassett’s Harry’s Hill was out of the handicap, so the trainer opted to claim 10lb with his nephew Wayne Hassett, and it proved an inspired decision.

Master Matt, Run Ran Run and Big Gossey were all in there pitching, but it was Harry’s Hill who got the verdict by a head.

There was a dead-heat for second between Master Matt and Michaela’s Boy, with a short head back to Big Gossey and a neck to Run Ran Run.

It was a third win for the jockey meaning he can no longer claim 10lb.

Martin Hassett said: “At the start of the week when I saw the entries I thought what are we after doing!

“He ran disappointing in Tipperary, we reckoned he ran a bit flat. I thought he’d win in Tipperary, we’d get 7lb and we’d get into this but he ran bad and got dropped 3lb.

“This is the most important race of the year for a small operation and small owners. He was bought for EURO 12,000 and is a legend of a horse.

“He might come back here for the Scurry. I always thought he’d get six furlongs, but he’s never run well over six so we’ll see.

“Wayne (17) is well able to ride and he doesn’t look like a 10lb claimer. He’s working in Joseph O’Brien’s now and will learn plenty there.”

Blues Emperor stretches clear to win
Blues Emperor stretches clear to win (Brian Lawless/PA)

Johnny Murtagh’s Blues Emperor (7-1) made just about every yard of the running in the Dubai Duty Free Derby Festival Handicap.

Ridden positively by Shane B Kelly, the lightly-raced four-year-old beat Chazzesmee by a length.

“That bit of rain we’ve had the last few days suited him. A stiff mile here is good for him, he’s very brave and when he gets to the front he doesn’t like being passed,” said Murtagh.

“He’s entered in Leopardstown for the mile-and-one (Nasrullah Handicap) and will probably go there and Rahmi (fourth) might go to Galway.”

Murtagh doubled up in the closing Dubai Duty Free Irish EBF “Ragusa” Handicap with Safecracker (15-2), ridden by Ben Coen.

Aussie Girl and Jamie Powell were Curragh winners
Aussie Girl and Jamie Powell were Curragh winners (Brian Lawless/PA)

Another to make just about all the running was Fozzy Stack’s 5-2 favourite Aussie Girl in the Dubai Duty Free Summer Fillies Handicap.

Jamie Powell was keen to dictate matters and once in front was allowed to set his own fractions.

“I only declared her at 9.55 on Friday morning when I saw there were only nine in it,” said Stack.

“Obviously it wasn’t planned out as she only ran in Naas a few days ago and that’s her third race in a fortnight. She’s tough.”

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