Only Mine dented some big reputations when claiming a shock victory in the Bar One Racing Lacken Stakes at Naas.
Aidan O’Brien’s Washington DC was the even-money favourite to claim a fifth career win in the Group Three feature, while the Jim Bolger-trained Smash Williams and Martyn Meade’s unbeaten British challenger Aclaim added strength in depth.
Having finished third behind Washington DC at Navan a fortnight ago, Only Mine looked to have her work cut out and was a 16-1 shot for trainer Joseph Murphy and jockey Gary Carroll.
There did not appear to be any fluke about the performance, with Carroll positioning his mount close to the speed throughout.
The challengers were queuing up a furlong down, but Only Mine found another gear, careering away to score by two and three-quarter lengths.
Washington DC made late inroads to finish second, with Aclaim coming out on top in a bunched finish for third.
Murphy said: “It was no surprise to me — I always believed she was a Group filly.
“The little ease in the ground helped her a lot and she worked very well during the week. She’s a very genuine filly.
“She may run in the Ballyogan Stakes at the Curragh on Saturday. The way she looked after the race she could run again tomorrow.
“She will probably go to France later in the year and the Prix Maurice de Gheest is a race that could suit her.”
Earlier O'Brien's Cuff proved much too good for her opponents in the Coolmore Stud European Breeders Fund Fillies' Sprint Stakes.
A promising fourth on her Navan debut before opening her account over this course and distance almost three weeks ago, the Galileo filly was the 11-4 favourite stepped up to Listed class.
Ryan Moore cut a confident figure in the saddle throughout the six-furlong journey and once given her head, Cuff sealed the deal in a matter of strides.
Dundalk scorer Yulong Baobei finished strongly to fill the runner-up spot, but was three lengths behind the impressive winner, who looks bound for bigger and better things.
She was handed a 4-1 quote by Bet365 to give Aidan O’Brien a first win in the Albany Stakes at Royal Ascot.
O’Brien said: “She was unbelievably green the last day but has come forward well.
“It’s unusual to see a Galileo filly starting off over five but she’s pacey.
“We’ll look at something like the Albany with her.”
Meanwhile Peace Envoy held off Lundy in the Coolmore War Command Rochestown Stakes.
Both horses are officially trained by O’Brien but the runner-up is looked after by O’Brien’s son, Joseph, at his Piltown yard.
In a Listed contest rendered far less competitive by the withdrawal of the dual course winner Psychedelic Funk, Peace Envoy was 15-8 to bounce back from a short-priced defeat at the Curragh.
Moore rode a positive race, sending Peace Envoy straight to the lead, closely pursued by Lundy.
The pair raised the pace heading inside the final furlong and settled down to fight it out, with Moore’s mount winning the day by half a length.
Richard Hannon’s British challenger and 11-8 favourite Hakeem finished last of the five runners.
Aidan O’Brien said of the winner: “He’s still very green.
“He never went in front before and will learn a lot from today.
“He’ll probably go to Royal Ascot and could run over five or six furlongs as he’s not short of pace.”
The winner was cut to 12-1 from 25s for the Coventry Stakes by Betfair and left unchanged at 16-1 for the Norfolk Stakes.
O'Brien also confirmed 1000 Guineas heroine Minding remains on course for Friday's Investec Oaks at Epsom.
The daughter of Galileo was a brilliant winner of the first fillies’ Classic of the season at Newmarket at the start of the month, but was narrowly denied by Jet Setting when chasing the Guineas double at the Curragh last weekend.
It later emerged Minding had suffered a minor head injury after an incident in the starting stalls, but O’Brien reports her to have recovered well and she is on course for Epsom.
“Minding will run in the Oaks as long as everyone is happy with her,” said O’Brien.
“There is no sign of any internal bleeding after the bang she got in the stalls at the Curragh.”
