Classic contenders surface as Weld hot streak fuels Leopardstown four-timer

Dermot Weld's stunning start to the flat season continued with a near 39-1 Leopardstown four-timer that featured a genuine classic contender in Zawraq. But there was also proof that the master trainer can get it wrong sometimes.

After the first three Leopardstown winners, on top of four at Gowran on Saturday, Weld ruefully but confidently predicted his seven-in-a-row hot streak would end in the Group Three PW McGrath Ballysax Stakes. And he was right – just not with the right horse.

Weld's Zafilani wound up beating the winter Derby favourite John F Kennedy by six lengths but was himself more than four lengths behind the 10-1 outsider of three, Success Days, a 94-rated Cork maiden winner who made all under Shane Foley.

Lack-lustre display

Considering

Ryan Moore

had flown 17,000 kilometres from Sydney overnight to ride John F Kennedy, it was a stunningly lack-lustre display by the much-touted Aidan O’Brien trained colt.

Hardly suited by near-heavy ground conditions, and racing quite keen in the early stages, the 1-4 favourite was nevertheless hugely disappointing and bookmakers who merely lengthened his Derby odds by a couple of points can hardly expect medals for valour.

“Very disappointing: we didn’t think he’d run like that,” said O’Brien, who appeared unwilling to make too many excuses for JFK. “Ryan said the ground is very bad and we know he’s not a heavy ground horse but still, we’re disappointed.”

Another Ballydoyle star, Ol' Man River, was subsequently cut for the Derby by some firms, and O'Brien indicated the Beresford winner is being trained to make his seasonal debut on Guineas weekend, in three weeks' time.

Such classic considerations are rare for Success Days' Curragh trainer Ken Condon, who conceded that "most of my horses have been castrated well before now as invariably they're not good enough."

Success Days had race fitness on his side but the grey colt wandered around on his own in front and Condon said: “He’s got a super temperament and keeps on giving us nice surprises. He’s in the Irish Guineas, and we could look at the Irish Derby later.”

However the distinct impression was that if a classic performer was on display at Leopardstown it was Zawraq, who turned the Listed 2,000 Guineas Trial into a rout. It was enough to provoke 10-1 quotes for the Guineas and the Derby, although both Weld and Pat Smullen appear to be leaning towards extending the unbeaten colt in distance.

“I’ve always considered him capable of making into a Derby horse and the decision will be whether we go for the English Guineas or wait for the Derrinstown Derby Trial,” Weld said.

“Wherever he goes, he’s a very, very high-class horse and will always represent us very well. Better ground will be no problem to him. He’s very adaptable and has a beautiful temperament. I think he has a lot of ability,” he added.

Classic ambitions

Stormfly has her own classic ambitions after landing the Group 3 1,000 Guineas Trial, with the French Guineas at Longchamp next month now in her sights. “She’s the sort of filly that could suit that race. She loves that ground and is very genuine,” said Weld.

With Zannda edging out Wedding Vow in the maiden, and Zafayan winning a handicap, Weld has had 14 winners this season from 26 runners. Zafilani’s Ballysax defeat brought to an end a run of eight wins in a row for Weld runners carrying the Aga Khan’s colours.

Success Days' owner Robert Ng doubled up with Aussie Valentine in a handicap, while Shane Foley also doubled up on Princess Aloof.