Super Sapphire in sparkling form
Saturday 4 August 2012
Dermot Weld's Sapphire produced an exhilarating display in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Give Thanks Stakes at Cork.
Second to Izzi Top in the Group One Pretty Polly on her last start, she was far too good for her rivals in this Group Three event.
She sprinted clear under Pat Smullen and those who took the 1-7 price never had to worry as she beat Demurely by seven and a half lengths.
Weld said: "That is a nice double. She is the first mare to win both the Noblesse Stakes and the Give Thanks Stakes. She was very impressive and very good. She is a lovely big staying mare and there is lots to look forward to with her.
"The Irish St Leger is next up and we will take it from there. She is a stayer with speed and she is a very adaptable mare. I think she will get the trip at her ease. She is only getting going now and she will be kept in training next year. She will be entered in the Melbourne Cup."
John Oxx's one-time Classic hope Akeed Mofeed registered an easy victory in the Listed Platinum Stakes.
Fancied for both the Guineas and the Derby through the winter, the Jaber Abdullah-owned colt met with numerous little setbacks which prevented him from making his seasonal debut until fourth in the Irish Derby 36 days ago.
Ridden confidently by Niall McCullagh, the result was never in doubt for the 2-5 favourite as he beat Barack by five lengths, although his task was made much easier by the withdrawal of David Wachman's Royal Ascot winner Duntle.
Oxx said: "The ground was very testing. I'm not sure what happened to him in the Derby. I think it was a mixture of him not staying and blowing up a bit. I don't think he's a stayer. I think a mile to a mile and a quarter is his trip. They went a good gallop and he quickened up well.
"We'll feel our way with him now. He might go for the Kilternan Stakes. He's entered in the Champion Stakes, but we'll take our time with him before stepping back to Group One company."
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