RACING/Irish Oaks: Christophe Soumillon has had to wait two years for some Curragh consolation but Shawanda provided it in spades yesterday with a spectacular success in the Darley Irish Oaks.
The French-trained filly destroyed her opposition to the tune of five lengths and made the €40,000 supplementary fee that her owner the Aga Khan paid to get her into the race seem a very wise bet indeed.
However, the dangers of such gambles were also vividly illustrated by the Aga's other supplementary entry Hazariya who was pulled up injured before the straight having been lame within the previous 24 hours.
In contrast, Soumillon had an armchair ride throughout and allowed Shawanda canter home five lengths clear of Playful Act with Mona Lisa best of the home team in third.
"I have never won a Group 1 so easily," said the 24-year-old superstar of French racing afterwards. "She was a champion today. If I had given her a kick, maybe she would have won by 10 lengths."
Certainly it was a happier experience than the 2003 Irish Derby where Soumillon's inexperience on board Dalakhani resulted in that colt incurring the only defeat of a brilliant career.
Alain de Royer-Dupre was a bewildered and angry man that day but Shawanda was a memorable first success in Ireland for the trainer who has trained for the Aga Khan for 23 years.
"It's difficult for a three-year-old filly to take a plane so I was worried about that," he said. "It's like football. It's always difficult to play in another country. Normally the Prix Vermeille and maybe the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe would be next for a filly like her."
Cashmans reacted by slashing Shawanda to 10-1 for the Arc and she will be one to watch, according to Playful Act's rider Jimmy Fortune who reported: "My filly ran a blinder but the winner is in a different league."
Playful Act is likely to go next for the Yorkshire Oaks but plans are less clear for the beaten favourite Dash To The Top who had to be walked to the start and ultimately only managed fifth.
"The antics didn't effect her," said trainer Luca Cumani. "The ground was just a little firm and she didn't let herself down."
The Irish Guineas winner Saoire wasn't helped by losing a shoe on the downhill run to the straight and it was another supplementary entry Right Key who recouped €16,000 for fourth.
The Aga Khan was present for his latest classic winner and also saw his colt Caradak record another impressive victory in the Group 3 Minstrel Stakes for John Oxx and Michael Kinane.
"We love this horse. He has a terrific temperament, is very sound and adaptable and there are no ifs and buts about him," said Oxx. "The Desmond Stakes in four weeks time will be next and maybe we might go abroad after that."
A trip to Goodwood for either the Richmond Stakes or the Champagne Stakes is next on Amigoni's agenda after Aidan O'Brien's colt successfully substituted for Aussie Rules in the Group 3 Anglesey Stakes.
"He's one of those really tough Danehills and we'll keep him busy because he is improving all the time," said O'Brien who is already only 9-4 in some books to win next year's 2,000 Guineas.
Adaala came through to beat Jazz Princess half a length in the Listed Kilboy Estate Stakes and Kevin Prendergast doubled up in the last with Chained Emotion.
The first nursery of the season fell to Dermot Weld's topweight Hidden Charm. However, for the second day running, Pat Smullen picked up a one-day ban, this time for careless riding.
