The past weekend provided no additional winners for the Curraghmore tally but several graduates put in great runs at Group level.
2017 New Zealand Bloodstock graduate Long Leaf was the second colt home and finished sixth in the Gr.1 Golden Slipper (1200m) at Rosehill. Jockey Blake Shinn was full of praise for the Fastnet Rock colt.
“Long Leaf went amazing, we drew wide and had to go back,” Shinn said.
“The pace wasn’t as quick as we all anticipated.
He sprinted really well from the back of the field and he’s an outstanding horse.”
Long Leaf recorded the quickest last 600m in the race and holds a nomination for the Gr.1 ATC Sires Produce (1400m) on April 7.
Ceylon confirmed she is up to Group class with a very good fourth in the Gr.3 Epona Stakes (1900m) at Rosehill. The 2015 New Zealand Bloodstock graduate was unlucky in her run and should improve from the race.
Tulip never travelled well in the Gr.3 Birthday Card (1200m) with jockey Michael Walker offering no particular reason for the out of character performance.
“She was on one rein the whole way trying to run off. She wouldn’t get on the right leg. She felt okay,” Walker said.
