Curragh reportConnections of Miss Beatrix hit the jackpot at the Curragh on Ryder Cup Raceday as the filly recorded a resounding success in the inaugural Shelbourne Hotel Goffs Million yesterday.
With a huge purse of €985,000 on offer to the winner, 28 runners went to post but the Kevin Prendergast-trained juvenile proved there is no substitute for class with a one-and-a-quarter-length success at a generous 6 to 1.
The daughter of Danehill Dancer won the Group One Moyglare Stud Stakes on her previous start and the decision to run her in the feature race rather than against her own sex paid huge dividends. The big field split into two groups but the majority decided to go to the stands rail.
However, it soon became apparent the far side was the place to be as Declan McDonogh, currently leading the Irish jockeys' title race, sent Miss Beatrix for home with fully two furlongs to run.
Mark Johnston's Drumfire gave chase along with Michael Halford's Emerald Hill and Jeremy Noseda's Laddies Poker, but the bird had flown and the celebrations from McDonogh as he passed the post said it all.
Michael Bell's Regime (16 to 1) made late headway on the stands side under Jamie Spencer to claim second, with Drumfire (7 to 1) having to settle for third. "I didn't want her jumping and running too free. I thought the ground might affect her but she got the trip well. She got a nice tow off the Halford horse, although I thought she got there a little too soon," said Prendergast. "She'll go to Bill Durkan's (owner) for a good rest and come back in January. We have options in either Guineas, although Newmarket might be better ground as it tends to be drier. Whatever she does now is a bonus."
The sponsors cut Miss Beatrix to 16 to 1 for the Stan James 1,000 Guineas, the same price as Cork-based Cashmans, while VC Bet and William Hill go 20 to 1.
There was a dramatic outcome to the €500,000 Shelbourne Hotel Goffs Fillies Five Hundred as Silk Blossom, the 9 to 4 favourite, was awarded a dramatic victory. The Barry Hills-trained youngster finished one and a quarter lengths behind Paul Blockley's Wait Watcher, but after interference inside the final furlong the stewards decided to reverse the placings.
Wait Watcher was half a length to the good when Tadgh O'Shea switched his whip into his right hand and his mount drifted into Michael Hills on the market leader. The Michael Stoute-trained Cliche made eye-catching progress late on to claim third.
Hills senior said: "It's not a nice way to win, I feel sorry for connections of the other horse, but rules are rules and they are supposed to keep straight. I thought the stewards got it right."
Blockley said he intends to appeal.
