Leopardstown report: Winning yesterday's Killavullan Stakes means Frost Giant has a lot to live up to but his jockey Kieren Fallon is one man who believes the future is bright for Aidan O'Brien's classic hopeful.
Leopardstown's Group 3 has an impressive pedigree, having thrown up the 2,000 Guineas winner Footstepsinthesand last year and the Irish Derby hero Grey Swallow the season before.
This time round Frost Giant progressed from a debut third at Doncaster just 10 days previously to run out a three-length winner from Abigail Pett and Jioconda and in the process earn a 40-1 quote from Paddy Power for next year's Epsom Derby.
"He felt good, improved a lot from Doncaster and he must have a big future. We have plenty to look forward to in this fella," Fallon reported before going on to complete a treble of winners on O'Brien-trained horses.
After Saturday night's Breeders' Cup O'Brien himself had remained on the other side of the Atlantic and early yesterday morning it looked like a good call, with heavy rain resulting in a late course inspection at 10.30am. It was only after 11am that the final green light was given, by which time many of the day's runners had arrived at the track.
"It started bucketing down in the morning and the Met Office were telling us it could last for hours. It was a bit nerve-wrecking for a while," admitted Leopardstown's racing manager, Tom Burke.
Not surprisingly the going was very heavy but Frost Giant, a $600,000 purchase, posted the fastest time of the five races run over the seven-furlong course, including over half a second faster than his stable companion James Joyce, who landed a tidy gamble in the following maiden.
The Danehill colt also made his debut at Doncaster 10 days previously and managed to hold off Baron De'I by a neck despite Fallon's manoeuvre in bringing James Joyce to the stands rail in the straight.
"Sometimes that works here but I'm not sure if it was the right thing to come over. I tried it and nearly got beat," the jockey said.
Ballydoyle's treble was completed in the Listed Trigo Stakes by the filly Briolette, who proved a length too good for Gift Range after a dour battle up the straight.
Power Elite, the 6 to 4 favourite, also challenged early in the straight but it was Briolette who produced a decisive run similar to the sort of effort that saw her finish runner up to the double-Oaks winner Ouija Board at Newmarket last month.
Fallon's treble brought his total for the year in Ireland to 57, 10 behind the champion-elect, Pat Smullen, but now only one behind the sidelined Fran Berry with the flat season due to end next Sunday.
The fillies maiden fell to Dermot Weld's Polished Gem, who held off the favourite, Sharapova, by a length.
"She is a full sister to Dress To Thrill and we were terrified of the ground of the ground. But she seemed to be acting on soft going at home so we took a chance," said Weld's son Kris.
Harry Rogers has had his best ever season on the flat but the Co Louth trainer has also endured a minor drought since the Listowel festival last month. However, Our Jaffa put that right when giving Rogers winner number 21 of the season in the mile handicap.
"I thought she would win at Navan last time but she didn't stay. Willie (Supple) said the mile would be ideal," said Rogers.
The Turf Club have announced they will reopen for business at the Turf Club Rooms this morning after Saturday's fire, which destroyed the organisation's headquarters.
