Horse Racing
Star Performer proves aptly-named at Gowran Park
Joseph O’Brien will look to test Star Performer in Group-race company on her next start following a facile victory in the Darley Irish EBF Hurry Harriet Stakes.
A comfortable winner on her Curragh debut last month, the Sea The Stars filly was a 7-2 shot stepping up to Listed company at Gowran Park and travelled strongly from the start under a waiting ride from Declan McDonogh.
She moved on the coat tails of the leaders rounding the home turn and quickened smartly in the straight to grab the lead before pulling four and a half lengths clear of the opposition.
“She has done nothing wrong. She won nicely on debut and this was an obvious stepping stone,” said O’Brien of his Doreen Tabor-owned winner.
“You’d have to be impressed with the manner of her victory. She’s a stakes winner now, a daughter of Sea The Sta and a good looking filly.
“Being a Listed winner she’ll obviously step into a Group race now. Everything will be about trying to build that profile for her to be a nice broodmare long term.”
O’Brien was completing a double on the card, with Citrus Springs (11-2) making it third time lucky in a first-time visor in the Irish EBF Median Sires Series Maiden under Dylan Browne McMonagle.
“She’s improved with each start. I thought she was impressive to win today from that draw. She obviously had to use a lot of energy early to get her position and she pulled away in the last furlong,” said the trainer.
“She looks a nice filly. We’ll probably have a look at going to Kentucky Downs (in September) with her. There’s some good prize-money there.”
