Sport

O'Brien fillies record double

Aidan O'Brien and Michael Kinane teamed up to take both divisions of the £16,000 Ballylinch Stud EBF Fillies Maiden at Gowran…

Fri Sept 15 2000 - 01:00

Aidan O'Brien and Michael Kinane teamed up to take both divisions of the £16,000 Ballylinch Stud EBF Fillies Maiden at Gowran Park yesterday afternoon with the short-priced pair, Fantasy Royale and Imagine.

Fantasy Royale made a successful debut when getting the better of a protracted final furlong tussle with Elaborate to score by a head. "She is a big, scopey filly, and we will not rush her. She is in all the big races, and may run again this season," said O'Brien.

Kinane recorded his 54th domestic win of the year when Imagine, a Sadler's Wells half-sister to Generous, justified odds-on support by leading early in the straight for a two-length verdict over Dance Till Dawn in division two. "She is in both the Prix Marcel Boussac and the Fillies Mile at Ascot, and it is possible she will run in one of them," said the Ballydoyle trainer.

Dermot Weld saddled his fourth consecutive winner for Hamdan Al Maktoum in the space of six days when Al Mamaaliq made a successful debut in the opening EBF Maiden. Pat Smullen's mount headed Sakina inside the final furlong to score by a length, and the Rosewell House trainer explained the belated appearance , saying: "He only came from Dubai in the spring." He added: "That was a pleasing performance, and I would expect him to win again."

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Smullen maintained his lead of seven in the jockeys' championship (64-57) over John Murtagh, who was on the mark with Calumet Spice in the EBF Nursery.

Take a chance with Kathology to upset some better-fancied rivals in the Dubai Airport World Trophy at Newbury today.

David Elsworth's colt scored over the minimum trip of five furlongs at Sandown and Chester in the spring and looked set to develop into a Pattern-race performer.

However, the three-year-old's next three runs were disappointing and it was only at York on Ebor day that he showed signs of coming back.

Carrying 9st 6lb in a 17-runner handicap, Kathology ran a blinder to finish a neck-second to Honesty Fair, who was in receipt of a stone, having looked all over the winner until close home.

Kathology gave the impression that his turn was once again near and he can make a successful step up to Listed company. There is sure to be a fierce pace with the likes of Repertory and Rudi's Pet in the line-up for the five-furlong contest and Kathology is napped to put his finishing kick to good effect.