INVINCIBLE JUVENILE
Geocentric has ammunition to take the Army
THE once-raced Geocentric is difficult to oppose in her quest to give Ger Lyons a 10th juvenile success of the season in today’s Yeomanstown ‘Invincible Army’ 2-Y-0 Maiden in Navan.
A daughter of Kodiac, owned by SBA Racing Limited, she shaped like a certain future winner on her recent debut in Naas – finishing runner-up to previous winner Hadman.
Geocentric was close to the pace all the way and, although unable to quicken with the winner at a crucial stage, kept on in pleasing style to be beaten just three-quarters of a length.
Hadman had won at Gowran Park, beating a pair of subsequent winners – Unconquerable and Once Upon a River. So the strength of that Naas form is obvious.
Glenburnie two-year-olds normally take a significant step forward from first to second run. So, although it’s only a week since Geometric made her debut, she’ll know more about the job today and should open her account.
The earlier two-year-old auction maiden looks more competitive. And Special Power, representing the Slatterys, might prove the one to beat.
This Slade Power colt didn’t look at home on Bellewstown’s undulations when making his debut last week. But, to his credit, he made late headway to finish third behind an experienced duo, Threebagsfull and Might And Mercy.
With improvement likely, Special Power might have the edge over Noel Meade’s Joe Masseria, a Fast Company colt that might reverse Roscommon form with Daisy Peers.
The Irish Stallion Farms EBF Race has attracted only five runners, but looks a fascinating affair, with Joseph O’brien’s 101-rated Isle Of Sark setting the standard.
Winner of a Dundalk maiden in
November on his debut, he was fancied for the Ballysax at Leopardstown in May and ran well enough to finish fifth to Bolshoi Ballet.
He was sent off favourite for a conditions race in Cork last time, but dropped away tamely to finish fifth, of six, to Kyprios.
A late withdrawal from a Royal Ascot handicap, Isle Of Sark is on a recovery mission here– with a first-time tongue-tie fitted.
But he faces at least two formidable rivals, including Dermot Weld’s impressive Gowran Park maiden winner Tazaral, the mount of Colin Keane.
But the progressive, Johnny
Murtagh-trained Ottoman Emperor is a tentative choice to outpoint his rivals.
Winner of a maiden in Cork, he knuckled down well to beat Dublin Journal in a Gowran Park handicap last time. And his stamina will prove an undoubted asset on this more demanding track.
Shane Kelly’s 96-rated mount has a bit to find, but is a hopeful choice.
And Dick Brabazon’s course winner Gordon Bennett, very unlucky when pipped by Dandyville at Fairyhouse last time, has solid claims in the Get Ready For Galway Join Tote.ie Handicap.