Harrington at double as Oodnadatta adds to yard’s weekend cheer

Debutante impresses with all-the-way victory.

Oodnadatta was part of a memorable weekend for trainer Jessica Harrington with an impressive debut victory at Leopardstown.

The Moone-based trainer landed the Coronation Stakes for the second time in three years at Royal Ascot on Saturday when Alpine Star followed in the hoofprints of her half-sister Alpha Centauri with a runaway success.

Oodnadatta then landed the first leg of a double back on home ground, completed by One Voice in the Group Three feature Blue Wind Stakes – both ridden by Shane Foley.

There is a little way to go yet to reach that level for Harrington’s winner of the opening Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Maiden – but Oodnadatta could hardly have made a more perfect start to her career, making every yard of the running and passing the post a length and a half clear.

Kate Harrington, assistant to her mother, said: “We had this race earmarked for her for a good while.

“She’ll more than likely take the same route that Cayenne Pepper did last year – a winners of one, and then the Flame Of Tara Stakes.”

The Irish 2,000 Guineas-winning combination of trainer Ger Lyons and jockey Colin Keane struck in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF (C & G) Maiden, with 3-1 shot Ides Of August outpointing 11-4 favourite Southern Cape by half a length.

“He’s a nice horse. You might not see him back too quick, because he’s only a project and he needs to get stronger,” said Lyons.

“He wants every yard of the seven furlongs. We won’t rush him – you’ll see him next over a mile. He’s still just a baby.”

Lyons and Keane had good prospects of completing a double in the three-year-old maiden, but 4-5 favourite Lough Cutra was ultimately no match for Aidan O’Brien’s Numen (7-1).

A son of Galileo out of the top-class racemare Divine Proportions, the youngster took a big step forward from his Naas debut of a fortnight ago to score by three and a half lengths in the hands of Seamie Heffernan.

There was a surprise result to the three-year-old fillies’ maiden, with the line just coming in time to allow 20-1 shot Getawiggleon and Conor Maxwell to repel the late thrust of 6-4 favourite Epona Plays by a short head.

Winning trainer David Geary said: “That’s my first winner, and I’ve only had a few runners over a period of time. It’s a nice day and a nice place to get a winner.

“I’m a farrier by trade and just have another two-year-old in training, who will start in another two or three weeks. Hopefully I’ll maybe get a few more.

“She’s been there or thereabouts. Hopefully she can pick up a few more races along the way.”

Joey Sheridan’s 7lb claim was crucial to the triumph of the Denis Hogan-trained Turbine in the Holden Plant Rentals Handicap, with just half a length separating the 14-1 shot and runner-up Equitant at the line.

“It’s his first run in a long time, but he’s been ready to run a while,” said Hogan.

“I think the handicapper has given him a chance – and along with Joey’s claim, it’s been a huge help to him. He probably was well in today.

“There are a couple of options for him, and Galway will be on the cards because he’s run well there before.”

Lieutenant Silver caused a 50-1 shock in the Leopardstown Handicap. Off the track for more a year, Padraig Roche’s grey was produced fast and late by Gary Halpin and got up to score in the dying strides.

“It wasn’t really a surprise. He didn’t really show us much last year, but Mark and Aisling (Gittins, owners) took him home – and the credit must go to them, because they did a great job with him,” said Roche.

“It was probably a very ordinary race, and we’ll look for something similar. He might even get a bit further.

“He’s schooled at home. We’ll see what Mark and Aisling want to do, but we might keep him to the Flat and go for a hurdle later on in the year.”

Patrick Sarsfield was a well-backed and impressive winner of the closing TRI Equestrian Handicap, scooting clear to score by five lengths as the 6-5 favourite under Declan McDonogh for Joseph O’Brien.

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Aidan O'Brien Jessica Harrington

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