Power Blue regains winning thread in Minstrel

Power Blue dropped down in trip and returned to winning ways to deny course specialist Big Gossey a first Group-race win in the  Glenroyal Hotel And Shoda Cafe Minstrel Stakes at the Curragh.

Charles O’Brien’s Big Gossey had won at the track an incredible 10 times but has not managed to win above Listed level.

This looked a good opportunity in a relatively small field but in Power Blue he was up against a Group One-winning juvenile and that class told.

Having been up against the likes of Bow Echo and Gstaad so far this season, Robson De Aguiar’s charge was the clear form pick and so it proved, looming alongside Audience a furlong out before kicking clear.

To his credit, Big Gossey stayed on from the rear to get within a length and a half of the 11-10 favourite, who was ridden by Rossa Ryan, but his wait for a first Group-race win goes on.

“He has been running in tough races like the Guineas. He’s been to Ascot. He’s such a nice horse. He always runs well,” said De Aguiar.

“We think he’ll go to York now in the Group One (City of York Stakes). The race for him is over seven furlongs again.

“The first time he’s met older company and he’s done well. It’s such a pleasure to train a horse like him. He puts his head down and does the maximum he can for you.

“I’d say he is versatile with trip. He can go six, seven or a mile. It depends on the races. He had been running against the best three-year-olds in Europe and he did well.

“I think he deserved the win today and that will get his confidence back. He will stay over seven-furlongs at York. That could be a fast seven-furlongs and it should help him. He can make the running or he can sit in behind. He’s a horse that’s always off the bridle but he keeps finding all the time you ask him.”

De Aguiar and Ryan had already been on the scoresheet with surprise 50-1 winner Shi Yang in the 1xBet.ie Supporting Irish Sport Irish EBF Fillies Maiden.

“She’s improving. She was a little bit timid the first two runs and five furlongs was a little bit short,” said De Aguiar.

“Today, seven furlongs, she’s more experienced and she’s galloped in front. She took the lead and kept on to the line. I’d say seven-furlongs around a bend would help her as well. I think if she improves again she should be able to get her black type.”