Looking deadly on testing ground when breaking his maiden by 16 lengths over 10 furlongs at Cork Mar. 26, Harzand who had ironically been a short head behind this card's Listed 2000 Guineas Trial winner Black Sea (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) when an eye-catching fifth on debut at Gowran Park in September carried that impetus forward into this renowned Derby trial to gain the perfect start to his Classic campaign. Settled in fifth early by Pat Smullen, the dark bay temporarily had his momentum halted behind one-paced rivals on the home bend as TDN Rising Star Idaho swept around the outer. Despite that rival taking over two lengths out of him when striking the front at the two-furlong pole, the homebred was only starting to get going and 150 yards out had his measure en route to an authoritative success, with the clear daylight back to Beacon Rock giving this renewal a solid feel. “He's a very nice colt who is progressive and as the year goes on, I think he is going to be a horse to be reckoned with,” trainer Dermot Weld said. “He's a lovely big, backward horse who is a typical Sea the Stars and we've given him time. This was a very good Classic trial–they went a real true gallop and Pat was surprised at the pace they went–and he picked up nicely and he will have learned a lot today. I see him as a lovely staying horse, but he would never want it firm. I have a very open mind as to the Classics, as this is potentially a very nice colt so I'll see how he comes out of it and speak to the owner.” Jockey Pat Smullen added, “Heshowed a lot of quality there, I was caught for a little bit of speed early on and had to sit and suffer but when I met the rising ground I never had any doubt I'd get to the horse in front as he stays very well. It was run at a very true pace, there was no hiding place and that brought out the best in our horse. I think he is too big and heavy to round Epsom, maybe the Irish Derby but I think he has all the qualities for the Leger at Doncaster. The mile and six at Doncaster would be ideal.”
Sunday, Leopardstown, Ireland
P W MCGRATH MEMORIAL BALLYSAX S.-G3, €60,000, LEO, 4-10, 3yo, 10fT, 2:19.11, hy.
1–#@HARZAND (IRE), 129, c, 3, by Sea the Stars (Ire)
1st Dam: Hazariya (Ire) (GSW-Ire, $167,872), by Xaar (GB)
2nd Dam: Hazaradjat (Ire), by Darshaan (GB)
3rd Dam: Hazy Idea, by Hethersett (GB)
O-H H The Aga Khan; B-H H The Aga Khan's Studs SC (IRE); T-Dermot Weld; J-Pat Smullen. €35,400. Lifetime Record: 3-2-0-0, $47,907. *1/2 to Harasiya (Ire) (Pivotal {GB}), GSW & G1SP-Ire, $109,758. Werk Nick Rating: A+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Idaho (Ire), 129, c, 3, Galileo (Ire)–Hveger (Aus), by Danehill. (750,000gns Ylg '14 TATOCT). O-Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith & Susan Magnier; B-Hveger Syndicate (IRE); T-Aidan O'Brien. €12,000.
3–Beacon Rock (Ire), 129, c, 3, Galileo (Ire)–Remember When (Ire), by Danehill Dancer (Ire). O-Derrick Smith, Susan Magnier & Michael Tabor; B-Remember When Syndicate (IRE); T-Aidan O'Brien. €6,000.
Margins: 1 1/4, 7HF, 2 3/4. Odds: 2.00, 8.00, 8.00.
Also Ran: Cook Islands (Ire), Moonlight Magic (GB), Theodorico (Ire), Play the Game (Ire).
Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.
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