RACING: It's 12 years since Jim Bolger tasted Derby glory with St Jovite, but the trainer made his mark on the Classic day with Democratic Deficit, who won the Group Two Railway Stakes.
Bolger and jockey Kevin Manning had earlier picked up the mile handicap with Tropical Lady, but it was Democratic Deficit that had the team thinking of a Group One future.
"It's only his second start and he is still a bit raw, but he will get a mile well," said Bolger, who nominated the National Stakes as a target.
Democratic Deficit showed no lack of guts yesterday as he battled to a three-quarter length defeat of the odds-on Russian Blue, and then survived a stewards inquiry.
Tadhg O'Shea on the third, L'Altro Mondo, fared worst in the inquiry and received a two-day ban for careless riding.
The winner clocked a time almost two seconds faster than the 2003 Railway winner Antonius Pius, and the quick ground contributed to a track record for Osterhase, who won the Listed King Of Beers Stakes by four lengths.
The 57.37 seconds for the five furlongs beat Racefield's 25-year record and had trainer John Mulhern dreaming of sprint glory next year.
"The Kings Stand Stakes at York might be a race for him," said Mulhern. "He is a very hyper horse and Fran Berry rides him twice a week. His hardest job is not getting run away with!"
Berry was in trouble with the stewards after the race, though, and got a two-day ban for crossing over to the rail too quickly after the start.
The other Listed race, the Celebration Stakes, fell to the Geoff Wragg-trained Grand Passion, who overhauled Solskjaer in the closing stages to make up for a previous near miss at Leopardstown.
"He's very game, always tries hard and we're looking for black type races in Germany, France or here," said Wragg.
Kevin Prendergast's apprentice Padraig Beggy (18), rode his 12th winner on Ulfah, who held off Majestic Times and Desert Fantasy in the Scurry Handicap.
"He's the new kid on the block," said Prendergast. "His weight is pretty good and he has a good chance if he looks after himself."
Cathy Gannon continued her run of success by guiding Theme Song home clear of the Group Three winner Danelissima in the concluding mile and a half handicap.
