Big Gossey continues Curragh love affair with gutsy Gladness win
GREY AREA: Big Gossey and Billy Lee (2nd right) win the Lester Piggott Gladness Stakes (Listed) from Camille Pissarro and Officer. Pic: Healy Racing Photo
Big Gossey showed plenty of heart to continue his Curragh love affair and claim the feature Lester Piggott Gladness Stakes on Saturday.
Trained by Charles O'Brien, the 70-plus race veteran has an impressive record at the home of Irish Flat racing but at the age of eight was enjoying one of his finest hours as he produced a gutsy display to register his 10th career victory and eighth at this particular venue.
Sent off a 7-1 chance and travelling kindly in the hands of Billy Lee, he took the lead from Karl Burke's wavering favourite Poet Master with a furlong to run and showed the utmost bravery to repel the dual challenge from the Aidan O'Brien-trained pair of Camille Pissarro (second) and Officer (third) in the dying strides.
Charles O'Brien said: "I thought the seventh furlong might just find him out. I think if it had been six furlongs today, he'd have won easier. Billy said he was just hanging on.
"We knew he was fit and an eight-year-old on that ground against three-year-olds, it doesn't matter how much weight they are getting, it's very hard for younger horses to take on a battle-hardened one like him.
"Gary O'Brien, who leads him up, does 90% of the work with him. He doesn't need a lot of work, but Gary does different things to keep him happy.
"When he arrived in the door, I didn't think he'd ever be doing this. A Gutaifan with no pedigree of any description - a box walker, a cribber and a horrible horse to deal with in the stable but that's the way it works!
"Today was his 40th run here and his eighth win at the track."
Meanwhile Mathan thrived for a step up in trip to open his account in taking fashion. Sent off the 1-2 favourite for the Follow @ToteRacing On X Maiden in the hands of Dylan Browne McMonagle, Joseph O'Brien's son of Kodiac turned on the afterburners in the final furlong to put clear daylight between him and his rivals, delivering a bloodless three-and-a-quarter-length verdict.
O'Brien said: "He ran well the last day and it looked that seven (furlongs) would suit him well. He's won nicely today and has probably run to a similar level.
"Dylan kept it simple on him. He's a straightforward colt and hopefully he can progress.
"It's nice to have a smart colt for Dean Reeves and Barry Fowler, two lovely people who have supported me well over the years.
"He'll probably be rated in the mid-80s, and I don't think it's unrealistic to say that he might end up in stakes races eventually."
Miami Destination showed great tenacity to win the opening Shouldvebeenaring, New For 2025 At The Irish National Stud Irish EBF Maiden.
Adrian Murray's youngster was sent off the 9-4 favourite after Gavin Cromwell's fancied Joyful Tidings was one of two to bolt on the way to the post.
Having led early before being headed a furlong out, Wayne Lordan conjured extra effort late on to rally and reclaim the lead from Jack Davison's Oh Cecelia.
"We knew going out that she'd have no bother going six or seven (furlongs) down the road," said Murray.
"Wayne said she needed a bit of company, and she won well at the line.
"The ground wouldn't have been an issue for us.
"Hopefully it's upwards and onwards now and we'll probably find a stakes race back here in May."
There was compensation for Cromwell when J M's Joy (11-2) won the Irish Stallion Farms EBF 3yo Spring Series Median Auction Fillies Maiden, while Fozzy Stack's consistent Two Stars showed a liking for the Curragh once again when a clear winner of the Tote Never Beaten By SP Handicap.
The five-year-old has some smart form to his name and was registering his third career success at the 85-40 favourite.
"He's improving with age. He's just one of those late maturing sprinters that is filling into himself the whole time," said Stack.
"He's a big striding horse and you don't need to get into a row with him.
"He ran well in Doncaster last year, but you won't see him running over six furlongs again.
"He likes that ground and will probably have to go up in class now.
"He could go for one of those races at Naas either side of Punchestown."
Meanwhile, Sheila Lavery's Pickersgill could have a bright future having broken her maiden status in the Visit The Irish National Stud & Gardens Maiden.
Lavery said: "She's been training very well but is just a bit opinionated around the parade ring.
"Robbie (Colgan, jockey) said she wasn't doing a tap out in front and then she spooked at the 200-yard yellow marker. She then picked up and went on again.
"I think she's an awful lot better than what she showed there. She was a bit fresh and buzzy there on her first run (of the year). She is going the right way, and I think she will keep improving."
