RACING: It was at Naas over five years that Giant's Causeway made a spectacular start to his career, and yesterday his appropriately named son, Footstepsinthesand, inspired some classic odds of his own with a similarly impressive debut.
With Jamie Spencer on Aidan O'Brien's other runner, the $3.6 million Olympic, the winner's chance might not have appeared obvious, but those in the know got their money down with a vengeance.
There was some morning 20 to 1 about Footstepsinthesand, but he was half that on the first show at the track and ended up a 3 to 1 favourite.
Colm O'Donoghue never had an anxious moment, bouncing out of stall one and making most of the running. It was in the last furlong, however, that the colt really impressed, and despite being eased down from a 100 yards out still had four-and-a-half lengths in hand of his stable companion.
It was enough for Cashmans to slap a 33 to 1 quote on Footstepsinthesand to go one better than his sire and win next year's 2,000 Guineas.
"His dad won here the very same way, making all," said O'Brien. "That's it for the season for him, and he could be a nice horse next year. He's bred to stay."
As for the riding arrangements, O'Brien said: "Colm rides him out every day and has been minding him, because we haven't done a lot with him. Jamie said his horse just got tired."
And as for the gamble, the trainer said: "It's definitely not my money!"
Significantly, Footstepsinthe- sand still managed to clock a time over a second faster than both divisions of the fillies maiden which went to Fontanally Springs and Unique Pose.
Spencer got on the mark in the Birdcatcher Nursery as Dark Cheetah provided O'Brien with a second topweight winner in a row of the valuable juvenile prize.
"He damaged a joint at Ascot and isn't back that long. He could go to Leopardstown (Group Three Killavullan Stakes) next week," said O'Brien who also saddled the runner-up in the Listed Garnet Stakes, Bywayofthestars.
Victory here went to the ex-French Miss Mambo, classic placed in the Longchamp 1,000 Guineas in the spring.
"She has a few entries in the USA, including the Matriarch Stakes, but she is already a very valuable filly," said Dermot Weld.
Another trainer on the double was Kevin Prendergast, who saw Faasel battle home in the last, and Crystal View, who was a head too good for Belle Artiste in the Autumn Bonus Race.
