JOHN OXX introduced a tall, unfurnished Sadler's Wells filly in Zeferina who despite the heavy ground - the meeting got the go ahead after an early morning inspection - started odds on for division one of yesterday's Caulfield Maiden at Tipperary.
She ran in snatches and although poised to pass Buddy Marvel inside the distance held her head high and failed to go through with her effort leaving the John McLoughlin colt to win by half a length.
But she will know more about the game next time. She is a nice filly and should go the right way but it hard to win first time out on this ground," said the trainer.
Oxx had earlier saddled the gelded Catarata to win the Moonee Valley Maiden. He appeared to have little chance in sixth place a furlong out but ran on strongly on the outside to land odds of 8 to 1 by a length from Thats Logic. Rider John Murtagh had now stretched his lead over Kevin Manning by three.
Aidan O'Brien's Storm Master carried too many guns for the Oxx's Lymax who started favourite in division two of the Caulfield Maiden. The winner will next run in the listed Eyrefield Stakes at Leopardstown on November 10th.
Rathgibbon made all the running to win the Rosehill Handicap Hurdle with ease under Tom Treacy. Royal Rosy, ridden by Australian Frankie Stockdale, attempted to close the gap but the writing was on the wall after turning for home.
The Australians now lead the series by 21 points to 12 and with fancied rides in both designated races at Downpatrick today they are likely to win the series and emerge top on their six visits here since 1986 which yielded victories in 1987, 1992 and 1993.
Palette wore down Celtic Lore to win the Shannon Novice Hurdle. Ridden by David Casey, Willie Mullins' charge landed marginally ahead over the last flight and while the Richard Dunwoody partnered Celtic Lore fought hack he did not appear to handle the ground as well as the one length winner who will he trained for a good novice hurdle at Christmas.
. Melbourne Cup bound Oscar Schindler departs for Australia late on Sunday night arriving on the 23rd of this month after which he is subject to further quarantine until the eve of the big race, due on November 5th.
His trainer Kevin Prendergast will travel on the 24th.
Prendergast, who believes the colt should have won the Arc, is keenly aware of the enormity of the task the four year old faces.
. Dorans Pride will make his first appearance over fences in the two mile and six furlong Shannon Chase at Limerick on Sunday. Michael Hourigan's 1995 Stayers' Hurdle winner has not run since early December, 1995 and later that month nearly died of a colic.
