Amazing Maria beats Europe’s best in group 1 contest

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Amazing Maria beats Europe’s best in group 1 contest

A second group 1 winner of the season for David O’Meara, who continues to take the limelight, as Amazing Maria followed up her Group 1 Falmouth win at Newmarket, with victory in France.

Barry O’Neill

Tuesday, 11 August 2015
4:10 PM GMT



WEEK 31: MON., 27 JULY – SUN., 2 AUGUST '15

Double figures again this week, with 11 winners to report on from Avondhu area locals who are based in the UK. Fermoy native, David O'Meara, again recording 6 winners, which included a Group 1 winner in France; Castletownroche natives, Jonjo O'Neill and Brian Harding recorded a winner apiece, along with Killeagh native, Liam Keniry; Rockmills native, Ed Vaughan and Liscarroll native, Richie McLernon. Our combined total for 2015 now sits on 301 winners.

DUAL GROUP 1 WINNER MARIA BEATS EUROPE'S BEST

Fermoy native and trainer, David O'Meara, registered 6 winners in Week 31 and again reached the pinnacle of his sport by recording a second Group 1 winner of the season, with Amazing Maria, who went onto take the Prix Rothschild (G1), over 8f, under French jockey, Olivier Peslier, at Deauville on August 2nd last.

Coming into this race off the back of her Group 1 Falmouth win, at Newmarket, this four year old daughter of Mastercraftsman was up against a class opponent in dual Group 1 winning three year old filly, Ervedya, herself a French 1,000 Guineas and Cornation Stakes winner. Settled as per usual in midfield off a good enough pace, Amazing Maria always looked to hold the aces and her lethal turn of foot was always going to trouble hot race favourite, Ervedya.

With the pace lifting to the two marker, Peslier only had eyes for Ervedya, who travelled smoothly into the lead fully one and a half furlongs from home. Pouncing late and produced with a devastating turn of foot, Amazing Maria flew past Ervedya as if she stood still with just half a furlong to go. Driven clear, she put one and a quarter lengths between herself and Ervedya come the line and must now surely go down as one of the best fillies in Europe.

Recording her second Group 1 win in a row and third Group race win since joining O'Meara this season, this Robert Ogden owned filly, completes a total transformation since moving north to Yorkshire. Given little chance to produce her best as a three year old, O'Meara has found the key to her, as he does with all horses acquired from other yards.

Amazing Maria will now possibly head to Leopardstown for the Group 1 Matron Stakes, where she will hold outstanding claims.

David O'Meara, winning trainer, said, "Amazing Maria was unbelievable today. She is obviously a very good filly. There was probably some doubt as to whether she was truly a Group 1 filly after her Ascot win, but she has done it twice now since."

O'Meara went onto record another 5 winners and those were, in date order: Scrutiny (7/2), who won the 10 runner Lady Jane Bethell Memorial H'cap (C6), over 10f, under Miss R Heptonstall, at Beverley on July 28th; Scrutiny (5/2), following up again under Miss R Heptonstall, in the 8 runner Betfair Amateur Riders' H'cap, over 8f at Redcar, on July 29th; So Beloved (10/1), who took the 18 runner Golden Mile, at Goodwood over 8f, under Danny Tudhope, on July 31st; Russian Realm (7/4), who scored in the 6 runner Breeders Backing Racing Conditions Stakes (C3), over 7f, under Sam James at Thirsk, on July 31st and finally, Bahamian Desert (9/4f), who won the 8 runner Nairns Oatcakes H'cap (C5), over 9f, under David Nolan at Musselburgh, also on July 31st last.

O'Meara now sits on the 81 winner mark for 2015 and 88 winner mark for the season.

GOLD HAS HUGE FUTURE UNDER HARDING

Castletownroche native and jump jockey, Brian Harding, recorded his fifth winner of the season aboard the Nicky Richards trained, Gold Futures (9/2), who took the 12 runner Clogau Gold Tree Of Life H'cap Chase (C3), over 24f, at Bangor on July 31st last. Upped considerably in trip to a more suitable three miles and with his customary colourful hood retained, this six year old gelded son of Gold Well, was well supported from early shows of 13/2 in the ring, on this, his handicap chase debut.

Settling well in rear early, off a stern pace, set by Strumble Ahead and Brass Tax, Gold Futures didn't miss a fence all the way around, a notable strong point in his armoury over fences. With a contested lead guaranteeing a real test of stamina, Harding took closer order after jumping the fifth last, moving smoothly into third position before the fourth last. A good jump there saw him into second just off Strumble Head who continued to gallop on relentlessly. Entering the top of the home straight with just two to jump and Gold Futures came alongside Strumble Ahead on jumping the second last.

Travelling well between the last two fences, Harding eased his mount into an effortless lead and sailing over the last, Gold Futures turned this race into a procession, going onto win by some three and a half lengths, from Strumble Ahead back in second. It was a further three and three-quarter lengths back to race favourite, Guiding George, in third. Winning his second chase, on this, just his fourth chase start, Gold Futures always looked like a horse who would be going places once upped to three miles. Winning here off an opening handicap mark of 130 with top weight, his highest hurdling mark was 135 which will now be surpassed over fences with this win. He looks a smart horse with a bright future.

Nicky Richards, winning trainer, said, "Gold Futures is a good little horse. He was a useful hurdler and hopefully now will make up into a useful chaser."

SUGGESTED GETTING STRONGER WITH AGE

Castletownroche native and trainer, Jonjo O'Neill, registered his 25th winner of the season, with the Richard Johnson ridden Strongly Suggested (2/1f), who scored in the 7 runner Pershore Plum Festival H'cap Chase (C3), over 16.5f, at Worcester on July 28th last. Well supported, in what looked a competitive chase, this eight year old gelded son of Kayf Tara came into this race bidding for a hat-trick of wins, off the back of an almost 10 week break.

Dropped out nearer last than first early, off what seemed a strong pace set by My Brother Sylvest, Strongly Suggested relished conditions, always travelling and jumping well in Johnson's hands. With the pace relentless, Johnson took closer order up the inside of runners, moving sweetly into fourth position on jumping the seventh fence.

With My Brother Sylvest now taken on for the lead by Witness In Court entering the top of the home straight, Strongly Suggested moved ominously well into third facing up to the last four fences. Again choosing the inside route, Johnson nursed his mount into the lead over two out and striding clear, this J.P. McManus owned gelding, popped the last with an ever increasing lead.

Ridden out up the short run-in, Strongly Suggested won readily by seven lengths, from My Brother Sylvest, back in second. Thriving with age, Strongly Suggested, looks to have put in a lifetime best performance here and he will now face rivals off an all time high handicap mark when next seen on a racetrack. He is now three from five at Worcester with the combination of Johnson and O'Neill three from three at the track.

Jonjo O'Neill, winning trainer, said, "He travelled and jumped well, loves these ground conditions and I think two miles is his best trip."

CAPE VICTORIOUS UNDER SHREWD KENIRY

Killeagh native and flat jockey, Liam Keniry, rode his 32nd winner of 2015, aboard the Andrew Balding trained, Cape Victoria (6/1), who took the 6 runner Ffos Las H'cap (C4), over 12f, at Ffos Las on July 30th last.

Bidding to follow up her recent Brighton win, under a penalty, this four year old lightly raced Mount Nelson filly, was dropped out last early doors by Keniry, off a steady to slow pace, set by Perfect Summer. Keniry, always thinking in the saddle and a master of pace, sensed his position was compromised and his fillies' strengths weren't going to be played out in a sprint finish. Making a deliberate move around the outside of runners, he took closer order, seemingly travelling as well as anything in the race, off the top of the home turn. With a stalking posse in behind new leader, Bari, Cape Victoria, a big galloping type, was soon within striking distance and wound up by Keniry, she began to make inroads into Bari's lead.

Slowing getting there, Keniry was now in full drive position, joining Bari well inside the final furlong and getting on top close home. Going onto win by a ready neck, this Kingsclere Racing owned and bred filly, recorded her third win from just 6 starts. Making up for lost time, she may well bid for a hat-trick of wins back at Brighton, where she holds an entry on August 6th next.

Winning here off a mark of 80, it is hoped the handicapper will not allot her 86 on reassessment, forcing connections to rise her to class 3 level. This may well guarantee her running at Brighton on Thursday in class 4 company, but with a huge weight.

MEHRONISSA HEADING RIGHT WAY FOR VAUGHAN

Rockmills native and flat trainer, Ed Vaughan, brought up his 10th winner of 2015, with the Freddie Tylicki ridden Mehronissa (7/2f), who went onto take the 8 runner Racing Welfare H'cap (C4), over 6f, at Windsor on July 27th last. Dropped back in trip and with a hood reapplied, this three year old Ifraaj filly was having just her fifth start, after a winning Newmarket debut, back in August 2014.

Slow to stride early, Mehronissa was held up in rear off a steady pace, set by Paint The Star. Looking very keen and somewhat green to the halfway point, Mehronissa found herself isolated up the centre of the track, with Tylicki quick to switch her back towards the inside group of runners, well over two furlongs out.

Ridden strongly and hanging fire under a right hand drive, this Salem Rashid owned filly, finally found her stride just inside the final furlong. Staying on strongly, she stamped her authority on this race late on, swiftly passing Quite A Story and putting two lengths of clear daylight between herself and the field. Heartsong nabbed second on the line, with a further neck back to Quiet A Story in third.

Recording her second win from 5 starts, Mehronissa looks to be still learning the game and did well to win here after her keen early tendencies. Rated 77, she looks to be well ahead of her mark with plenty more to offer going forward. Already tried in pattern company, she could hold lots of value as a broodmare, being a half sister to Grade 3 USA winner, Three Degrees.

Ed Vaughan, speaking to The Avondhu, said, "She has come out of the race in good form and we will know what the handicapper will do with her on Tuesday. The plan is to head back to Windsor on Sunday next for a 0-85 fillies' only handicap over 6f."

JACK MAKES GIANT STRIDE COUNT UNDER MCLERNON

Liscarroll native and jump jockey, Richie McLernon, rode his 13th winner of the season, aboard the George Moore trained Jack The Gent (16/1), who went onto take the 9 runner Bill And Joan Woodward H'cap Chase (C4), over 17.5f, at Bangor on July 31st last. Dropped back in trip, with a plummeting handicap mark, this 11 year old gelded son of Anshan was given little thought in the betting market pre-race.

Sent straight into the lead by McLernon, Jack The Gent was soon bounding along in a nice rhythm, jumping accurately from fence to fence. Setting a searching gallop and quick over the two open ditches going out on the final circuit, McLernon sensed that he could have a few of these in trouble. Asking for more from his mount on jumping four out, Jack The Gent found himself some four lengths clear of the chasers with only Irish raider, Lisbon closing in on him.

Turning for home and Lisbon had closed up to within two lengths before the second last, but again Jack The Gent was foot perfect and landed running. Going further clear down to the last, another good jump sealed the race and striding clear up the Bangor run-in, nothing was going to deny this giant of a horse. Running on strongly he put eight lengths between himself and Lisbon, with a further two and three-quarter lengths back to Jayo Time in third.

Recording his 5th win in total and 4th over fences, this John Wallwin owned gelding was rated 135 over fences in his prime two years ago. Running off 100 here he will be of big interest again under similar circumstances once reassessed by the handicapper.

Richie McLernon, speaking to The Avondhu, said, "For a big horse he bounced off the ground. He's jumping was very accurate which allowed him to control things from the front."

GALWAY PLATE

Special mention also this week for Glengoura native and jump jockey, Johnny Burke, who rode the Galway Plate winner, Shanahan's Turn, last week, for trainer Henry DeBromhead and owners, Alan and Ann Potts.

Combined UK flat/jumps 2015 = 301.



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