By Tom Frary
7th-CUR, €25,000, Cond, 5-14, 3yo, 8fT, 1:40.22, gd.
IRISHCORRESPONDENT (IRE) (c, 3, Teofilo {Ire}–Contrary {Ire}, by Mark of Esteem {Ire}), who made an instant impression with a 3 1/2-length success on debut over a mile at Leopardstown Apr. 8, was settled in third early. Moving to Homesman (War Front) with a furlong remaining, the 8-11 favourite drew away to score by 4 1/2 lengths. “He's stepped forward lovely from his maiden win and has a lot of class,” trainer Mick Halford said. “He has the temperament and the action–he's got it all. We had entered him in the [G1 Irish 2000] Guineas [at The Curragh May 27] on the back of that maiden win and although I'll have to speak to the owners, I'm sure they will be quite happy to let him take his chance after that.” Contrary is a winning half-sister to the classy sprinter Spirit Quartz (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}), who was successful in the G2 Prix du Gros-Chene and second in the G1 Nunthorpe S. as well as being an Italian highweight in his division, and also the seriously fast listed-winning G3 Meydan Sprint third Caspian Prince (Ire) (Dylan Thomas {Ire}). Her 2-year-old colt by Mastercraftsman (Ire) is as-yet unnamed. Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0, $25,615. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.
O/B-Ballygallon Stud Ltd (IRE); T-Michael Halford.
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