3 minute read
Aidan O'Brien will consider a tilt at the Racing Post Trophy with Port Douglas after a surprise victory from the front in the Juddmonte Beresford Stakes at the Curragh.
O'Brien went into the Group Two contest tied on 14 Beresford triumphs with the great Vincent O'Brien, with the likes of Septimus (2005), St Nicholas Abbey (2009) and last year's victor Ol' Man River 12 months ago among his previous winners.
The County Tipperary maestro fielded three runners in an attempt to break the record and it was the least fancied of the trio who got the job done under Emmet McNamara.
An impressive winner on his Leopardstown debut but beaten twice since, Port Douglas was a 14-1 shot and looked booked for pacemaking duties after being rushed into an early lead.
The youngster seem ed set to give way when passed by 9-4 joint-favourite True Solitaire, but roared back tenaciously to get back up by a short head.
The other market leader, the winner's stable companion Beacon Rock, came home with a rattle and was close behind in third place.
O'Brien said: "He's a tough horse and was a bit lazy last time so we put the blinkers on to keep him awake.
"He could go for the Racing Post Trophy and is a typical middle-distance horse. They went a good gallop.
"Beacon Rock ran well. He was a bit green but came home well, while I'd say Unicorn (seventh) is a bit weak and will be a better horse next year."
McNamara said: "The blinkers helped him, he's a nice horse and stays very well.
"Joseph (O'Brien) felt the last couple of days over seven (furlongs) he was always going a half-gear quicker than he was able to, so going the mile today suited him.
"We were able to jump along and make our own running and dictate it from the front. When Pat (Smullen, on True Solitaire) came to him, he battled well. He was very tough."
Port Douglas' success was the highlight of a treble on the day for the dominant team.
Coolmore (5-2) finished with a rattle under the trainer's son Joseph to take the Group Three C.L. & M.F. Weld Park Stakes, while Hit It A Bomb (2-1 favourite) made a winning debut in the hands of Ryan Moore in the Irish Stallion Farms European Breeders Fund Maiden.
