The Aga Khan arrived at the Curragh with only minutes to spare before the start of yesterday's Moyglare Stud Stakes, but while he was catching his breath, the filly who carries his colours, Edabiya, had her opposition gasping for theirs.
However it was the only time that air was at a premium. A howling wind had no obstruction to its path across the Curragh's bald plain, and as well as sending racegoers sprinting for cover, it almost played a part at the end of the big race.
Edabiya had overcome some traffic problems and a talented field to lead at the furlong pole but then got caught up with the day's spoilsport. "It was really blowing at us from sideways on and it made my filly drift across a bit to her left," said John Murtagh with the unconcerned air of a man who had ultimately always felt in control.
Edabiya looks a filly that could repeat that sense of confidence at the very highest level. A half sister to Ebadiyla, the chestnut has exceeded expectations of her as a juvenile and may not be finished yet, as John Oxx, winning the Moyglare for the second time after Flamenco Wave in 1988, could run her again in Ascot's Fillies Mile or the Prix Marcel Boussac at Longchamp.
"We didn't set out to win races like the Moyglare but she seemed to know what to do at an early age and shows the ability to go the distance next year. The Oaks looks a target. She is maybe not one to aim at the Guineas even though she has a lot of speed, but she is one to look forward to over the winter," Oxx said.
Edabiya launched her challenge on the outside of the pack, which was led by Hula Angel to the two furlong pole. A furlong later and the race looked between Edabiya and the English-trained Wannabe Grand but as the latter faded, Fear And Greed and Crystal Downs arrived to take the minor placings.
A delighted Aga Khan said: "Because of the weather it was very difficult to land in Dublin and then the traffic was terrible, so we got here with only three minutes to spare. But they were some three minutes!"
Fear And Greed also has the Boussac as an option but Wannabe Grand, who faded to fourth, could be taken back in distance. "A furlong out she had the race won but she had taken a tug and just didn't get home," said Pat Eddery. Kieren Fallon's mount Enemy Action shared the early lead with Hula Angel but faded dramatically to third last.
The diminutive Tadwiga struck a blow for the raiders, however, when arriving late and fast to cut down Darina and Heed My Warning in the Matron Stakes. "She's only tiny but very brave, because at one stage in the straight I was six lengths off them," said Richard Hughes. "Tadwiga is not even 15 hands. She's one of the smallest in the yard but one of the best," said Richard Hannon Jnr of the filly who won the Goffs Challenge at the Curragh last season.
Lady Oranswell completed a memorable weekend for 19year-old Larne-born apprentice Steven Crawford when landing the Cambridgeshire for Pat Flynn. Crawford also won at Cork on Saturday for the Carrick-On-Suir trainer and his career winner total is now five.
"She was in terrific form today, fighting fit," said Flynn of his 20 to 1 shot, who has now six races, not a bad record for a £1,200 yearling purchase.
Show Me The Money took her second stakes race when sweeping home under John Murtagh in the Round Tower Stakes, and although Noel Meade will not send her to Doncaster for Thursday's Flying Childers Stakes, he said: "The ground was a help and the way she won that, we can take her anywhere."
A life-size bronze of the 1970 Triple Crown hero Nijinsky was officially unveiled at the Curragh yesterday by the horse's trainer Vincent O'Brien.
Liam Ward, who rode Nijinksy in his six wins at the Curragh, and Lester Piggott also attended, and O'Brien said: "It's wonderful to see the great horse remembered in this way." The sculpture is located in the new Curragh saddling and parade ring area.
