12-06-2025
Copacabana Sands swoops late to claim Barberstown Castle Stakes
Successful at listed level in Naas last time, Copacabana Sands took a successful step into Group 3 company when swooping late to land the Group 3 Barberstown Castle (Ballycorus) Stakes in rain-softened ground at Leopardstown.
Carrying the colours of Mrs Barbara Keller for the first time, Michael O'Callaghan's charge ran into trouble early in the straight but, when switched to the outside, picked-up well for Epsom derby hero Wayne Lordan and swept past Easy to score by a length and three-quarters.
"She was a listed winner coming here and quickened up well,' stated O'Callaghan. 'Wayne feels she improved for that softer ground.
'She found trouble, which she often does, but showed a bit of grit and class and won going away.
'She's been on the go quite a while and tries very hard in her races, so she deserves a little break. I'll talk to Barbara (Keller) and we might plan an autumn campaign for her.'
Winner of recent barrier-trial in Naas, installed as morning favourite but usurped as market-leader by Dancing Saxon, Brownstown gave Gavin Cromwell his second two-year-old success of the season in the opener, enjoying a clear lead early in the straight before holding Flawless Fusion by a half-length.
The Cracksman filly was ridden by Gary Carroll, who commented. 'She's a big, long-striding filly, with the size and scope to keep improving. She travelled around very easily, put the race to bed, but got a bit tired. She'll appreciate better ground, and, hopefully, might be a stakes filly.'
Masoun, successful twice for Johnny Murtagh last year, triumphed for the first time since joining Joseph O'Brien when taking the '1878 At 3Arena' Apprentice Handicap under a positive ride from Wayne Hassett, the 9/2 joint-favourite proving too strong for Bill Silvers.
'He's been running fairly well and I think nine or ten furlongs is a good trip for him,' said O'Brien. 'He won nicely and, if he gets into one of the handicaps in Ascot next week, he'll go there – the owners will be over. If not, we'll find something for him at the Curragh on Derby weekend.'
Confirming recent Leopardstown scorer Zahrann on course for the 'King Edward VII' at Royal Ascot next week, Johnny Murtagh saddled Shaool (in first-time cheekpieces) to land the nine-furling fillies handicap on her handicap debut.
A second winner of the season for apprentice Yudish Geerdharry, the Belardo filly sluiced through the soft ground to win by more than four lengths, prompting Murtagh to comment 'It's taken a while to get her head in front, but she likes soft ground and that was a big help. We'll see what the handicapper does before we make plans for her.' Delivered late by Chris Hayes, the Dermot Weld-trained Sindria, a Kodiac filly, got up to foil favourite Shakazia by a head in the seven-furlong fillies maiden, the pair finishing clear of the rest.
'The ground was a bit quick and she was too keen and fresh in Naas, but didn't finish far behind the favourite' explained Weld. 'We had to get her to relax at home and help her enjoy her work. And it has paid off tonight.'
Course specialist Smaoineamh Sile (Jamie Powell) toughed it out to take a division of the (0-60) Boylesports Handicap, recording her fourth success over course and distance.
And the father and daughter combination of Robbie and Nicola Burns struck in the second division when Deuteronomy, off the mark at the 29th attempt last time, got up late to foil Still She Blooms.
