Following on from the fantastic four-timer at Ellis Park, Team Walsh continued their excellent run of form as Ile de la Cite, Crossfire and Oso de Oro all found the winner’s circle for the first time with three maiden successes.
ile d la cite
Ile de la Cite kicked things off in impressive fashion, breaking her maiden on just her second career start. The daughter of City of Light showed little sign of inexperience as she broke alertly from the gates under Declan Cannon and soon took up the running.
Setting even fractions, Ile de la Cite was never far from the action as the tightly packed field raced towards the turn for home. After briefly being headed in the stretch, the determined filly quickly regained the lead and dug deep when it mattered most, striding out strongly all the way to the wire to prevail by a head.
It was a gutsy performance from Ile de la Cite to secure her first career victory and continue the stable’s fantastic run of form at Ellis Park.
Congratulations to owner Barry Becker on this exciting filly’s first success, with plenty more hopefully to come.
crossfire
Crossfire followed suit later in the weekend in impressive style under Ben Curtis. With several runners breaking sharply from the gates, Crossfire was not going to be squeezed out of the action, holding his position to settle second in the early running.
Looking full of running as the field approached the three-eighths pole, Crossfire made the most of his opportunity as the leader began to struggle to maintain the pace. Moving smoothly to the front, he looked like the perfect target for the late closers to aim at, but this tough colt was having none of it.
Continuing to dig deep despite daylight between himself and his rivals, Crossfire powered clear and never looked in danger of being caught, cruising home to score by an impressive three-and-three-quarter lengths under a straightforward ride from Ben Curtis.
Congratulations to owners Arindel on the well-bought son of Goldencents, who looks to have plenty more to offer as he progresses through the ranks.
oso de oro
Oso de Oro topped off a highly successful weekend by also breaking his maiden for owners Calumet Farm. Settling in mid-pack, he was held in a strong grip by jockey Ben Curtis before edging wider and beginning his move four-wide as they approached the three-eighths pole.
Looming up alongside his rivals, Oso de Oro had gained the advantage by the quarter pole but still had work to do as he faced a determined challenge in the stretch. Battling gamely all the way to the wire, the Into Mischief colt showed plenty of resolve to come out on top and secure a hard-fought one-and-a-quarter-length victory.
The win continued the successful partnership between Brendan Walsh and Ben Curtis, who have enjoyed an excellent Ellis Park summer meet together so far.
