Poetic Flare stars in season opener at Naas

Like father, like son for Bolger newcomer.

Jim Bolger will be hoping Poetic Flare can enjoy just a fraction of the success of his sire Dawn Approach, as he followed in his footsteps by winning the opening race of the Irish Flat season at Naas.

Dawn Approach won the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden in 2012 and went on to be crowned champion juvenile, as well as winning the 2000 Guineas and St James’s Palace Stakes in his Classic season.

Poetic Flare was sent off the 2-1 joint-favourite for the five-furlong contest, along with Aidan O’Brien’s Lipizanner – a first runner for the yard from the sire Uncle Mo.

The two pulled clear entering the final furlong, but while Lipizanner looked green when Seamie Heffernan pulled the whip and drifted to his left, Poetic Flare appeared more streetwise.

It was not until the final few strides that Poetic Flare began to get on top for Kevin Manning, but he managed to pull half a length clear with Lipizanner running a very promising race himself.

“It was dead, tacky ground. He was very straightforward and did that well. I’m very pleased with him,” said Manning.

“He knew his job. He’ll be a bit better when he gets better ground and will appreciate stepping up in trip.

“Overall you’d be very happy with him. He was very professional and did that well.”

Bolger won the race three years in succession between 2011 and 2013.

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