Sugar Island seals Staffordstown success

Sugar Island bounced back from Fillies’ Mile disappointment with a decisive Group Three victory in the Staffordstown Stud Stakes at the Curragh.

The Dubawi filly made a winning debut at the home of Irish Flat racing in July and while she failed to fire on her on her next start, she fared better when third in the May Hill at Doncaster last month.

However, she was again well held when upped to Group One level at Newmarket – finishing ninth of 10 behind stablemate Precise – and dropped back down in grade 11 days later as one of three runners for Aidan O’Brien in a field of eight.

Stablemate Cameo was the 2-1 favourite in the hands of Jack Cleary, but 5-1 shot Sugar Island made a smart start under Wayne Lordan and having grabbed the lead before the home turn, she quickened clear in the straight to seal a two-and-three-quarter-length victory over Joseph O’Brien’s Thundering On.

Stable representative Chris Armstrong said of the winner: “Wayne gave her a lovely ride. She’s a big, galloping filly that stays very well.

“She had a very good run at Doncaster in a Group Two. Last time in Newmarket it just didn’t work out for her on quick ground and we just put a line through it.

“Wayne gave her a very straightforward ride back here. She’s a filly with a touch of class and it’s lovely to get that stakes victory for her now and we can bring her back for an Oaks trial next year.

“Hopefully she progresses nicely over the winter. She looks like a perfect middle-distance filly.”

O’Brien and Lordan had earlier successfully combined with Trojan Warrior, who made a successful start to his career in the Friarstown Stud Irish EBF Maiden.

Although easy to back as a 13-2 shot, the Wootton Bassett colt was doing his best work inside the last of six furlongs and he was ultimately well on top as he passed the post with a length and a half in hand over 6-4 joint-favourite Go Just Do It.

“It was an impressive win. He’s a fine, big horse physically, looking at him walking around the ring,” said Armstrong.

“The penny has really only dropped with him at home in the last six weeks. Wayne felt in the last half-furlong, when he really got him gathered and got him galvanised, he really stretched for the line.

“He’ll be a lovely horse to come back next year, hopefully start in a trial and see where he goes – on that performance you’d think he could have a nice future.”