Featured on the programme of ten races as another renewal of the Distinctly Irish Graded Stakes/Open Allowance over the extended circular nine furlongs and 25 yards course. Top-rated campaigner 2024 Mouttet Mile hero and Horse-Of-The-Year, Funcaandun (USA) at even money, was surprisingly the second favourite behind the next highest rated entry, Barnaby (USA) offering 4-5.
For the first of a stable double, champion and leading trainer this season, Jason DaCosta, in addition to Funcaandun declared Mamma Mia for a pace-making role and progressive three-year-old colt Girvano (USA), handclapped at an advantageous 101lbs. This young importee received 25lbs each from Funcaandun and Barnaby, conditioned by Anthony Nunes.
At the finish, Girvano, ridden by Jordan Barrett, was a length ahead of Funcaandun (USA), with Blue Vinyl (8/1) just under three lengths in third, leaving Barnaby no better than six lengths fourth. DaCosta’s double success was confirmed in the nightcap with Himaya (3-1) scoring by one length and quarter over seven furlongs, with claimer Shaheen Gordon executing the riding honours with confidence.
Former top-class campaigner God Of Love (8-5), now a nine-year-old gelding, and competing in an event for $500,000 claimers, over five furlongs round, was nearly eight lengths better than 4-5 favourite Cataba. Entered by owner/trainer FitzGerald Richards and partnered by apprentice Richie Shakes, God Of Love, in winning this opening event, has now secured a 17th career success from 69 appearances.
In race two, maiden colt Hickory Slim (6-5), saddled by Donovan Phillips and guided by Aaron Chatrie, arrived in the final strides of the six and a half furlongs gallop to touch off front runner Sweet Bern (6-5) by a neck. Hickory Slim, a four-year-old full brother to the seven-year-old all-time great sprinter Mahogany, has proven difficult to train and was racing for only the seventh occasion.
The results of races three and seven, were special for 2022 champion jockey Dane Dawkins, as on his birthday, he had double success. Firstly, with the Steven Todd entry King’s Crown (4-5) scoring by one length over six furlongs of race three. Then secondly, Dawkins won race seven by just under one length with Gary Subratie’s Flybluejet (2-1) over the distance of five furlongs round.
Five unraced juveniles, lined up for the straight three-furlong dash of four and, Fernando (1-1), a two-and-a-half-length winner, was the first of four successes on the day for the former three-time champion trainer Anthony Nunes. This was also the opener of a riding double for champion and 2025 runaway leader Raddesh Roman, starting the day on 83 with second-place Robert Halledeen on 38 wins. With 29 race days remaining this season, Roman has secured his second riding title already.
For Nunes’ second, Shane Ellis rode three-year-old maiden Platinum Princess (5-2) to win race five over four furlongs straight by three parts of a length.
Roman picked up the closing leg of his double aboard 3-5 bet Uncaptured Empress (USA) by a short head over the five furlongs straight of race five for Nunes’ three of four. For Nunes’ fourth and final, Enthusiasm (6-1) with 2011 champion reinsman Dick Cardenas finished strongly to beat 2-5 favourite Prince Roy over six and a half furlongs.
