Jim Bolger and Kevin Manning combined for a quick-fire double at the Curragh Carpets-sponsored meeting yesterday when taking the opening two juvenile events on an eight-race card with Berengarius and Castle Quest.
Berengarius, sent off the uneasy 5 to 2 favourite in the opener, was never far off the pace and responded to a vigorous ride by Manning by drawing clear in the final 100 yards to beat Chanoud by three lengths.
Bolger, who is in Churchill Downs this weekend for the Breeders' Cup, notched up his half century for the season when Castle Quest justified market support in the proceeding fillies' event.
The daughter of Grand Lodge was always travelling well, and quickened up nicely inside the final furlong on the stands side to beat Sagar Bay by two and a half lengths.
The result remained unaltered after a stewards' inquiry into possible interference involving the placed horses. The stewards found that interference had taken place but had not affected the result, although Wayne Smith, rider of the runner-up, will be suspended for the first four race days on the flat next year after being found guilty of careless riding.
Smith was later suspended for a further two days for excessive use of the whip on Sharpaten, who finished third to Khatela in the Curragh Carpets Simply Wool Twist Maiden.
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