Bianca Nera's late challenge proves decisive in Moyglare

THE supplemented Bianca Nera would have been a very unlucky loser of yesterday's Group One Moyglare Stud Stakes at the Curragh. However, once she saw daylight in the dying stages of a rough race, she quickened appreciably to beat compatriot Ryafan by half a length, with the Azra finishing just a neck behind in third place.

Rider Kevin Darley said that he was worried when Azra started to come back to him, and with Pat Eddery staying on with Ryafan, the gap was getting smaller. "I had to pull back and switch."

Newmarket trainer David Loder, who has bagged three Group One winners this year, said Bianca Nera was crying out for seven furlongs after she had won her maiden and the Lowther Stakes at York.

"As the Moyglare Stud Stakes was the only Group One over seven furlongs, we decided to supplement her," he said.

"She has a tremendous temperament and a tremendous constitution," he continued, "and that is the third time she has raced within a month."

The Prix Marcel Boussac at Longchamp next month is the winner's target and she will then be put by for next year's English 1,000 Guineas. Incidentally, no winner of the Moyglare Stud Stakes has gone on to capture the Guineas.

One might have expected Bianca Nera to run in the Cheveley Park Stakes at Newmarket, but that Group One is earmarked for the stable's newcomer, Wellspring, a half-sister to Marly and who will first run in a maiden at Yarmouth.

Velvet Appeal was the surprise packet of the race, finishing fourth, only a head behind Azra, but the well fancied Star Profile disappointed, while Crystal Crossing was badly caught in the scrimmage.

Raiyoun justified a significant gamble - from 6 to 1 yesterday morning to 5 to 2 favourite - in winning the Irish Cambridgeshire with ease.

He was not well drawn on the inside, but once he saw daylight from two furlongs down, improved to lead a furlong later and draw clear.

Said his trainer, John Oxx: "He needs a good gallop because he quickens so well off a fast pace." He is entered for a listed race here in two weeks' time but is more likely to contest the Group Three Concorde Stakes at Tipperary on October 6th.

The Group Three Trusted Partner Matron Stakes also went for export, with the Chris Wall-trained Donna Viola arriving with a late run to beat the front-running course winner, Hagwah. Dermot Weld introduced a smart two-year-old in Desert Ease who quickened well inside the distance to beat Classic Park by a head in the listed Go and Go Round Tower Stakes.

"She has been working very sweetly recently," said Weld, who may run her in the C L Weld Stakes providing the ground remains good.

Incidentally, Kieren Fallon was booked yesterday for the stable's Gordi in next Saturday's St Leger. Fallon won the concluding Corporate Sport and Leisure Maiden on Royal Midyan.

"I'd have won the first race with Moving On Up if he didn't blow up a furlong down," said Weld. "He's a very big horse for a two-year-old but he'll probably win next time.

Cork-born rider Trevor Horgan brought his tally for the current campaign to 14 yesterday when completing a double with Life Saver and Evriza at Ballinrobe.

Trainer Pat Martin is another enjoying tremendous form and he saddled Genial Jenny to complete a hat-trick of wins in the River Robe EBF Handicap. The winner will turn out again at Galway tonight in the 6.30 race.

One Man Band, trained by Tommy Stack. landed the CP Suppliers Handicap by half a length from stable companion Mystic Ring after edging ahead before the furlong pole.