Glorious Goodwood continued overnight with a splendid card highlighted by Group I filly Diamond Necklace, but from an Aussie perspective the win of promising three year-old Ciarrai Abu was worth watching as he will ultimately be headed into the stable of John O’Shea and Tom Charlton.
Trained for now by Harry Eustace, Ciarrai Abu was favourite for the Coral Kincsem Heritage Handicap (1m2f) and scored by a length for George Wood in a big field of 14.
By classy staying sire Study of Man, noted as the sire of multiple Group I winning mare Kalpana, Ciarrai Abu has the overall record of three wins from just six starts with this victory his first beyond 1m.
The win was dominant, but only told part of the story as his pre-race antics caused plenty of concern.
“Ciarrai Abu doesn't make it easy for any of us, before or after, but he's obviously got plenty of ability; just needs to direct it in the right direction,” said Harry Eustace.
“He's actually done that [racing on and off the bridle] before in a few of his races back at a mile so I was confident when George [Wood] went for him he'd come up for him.
“He's obviously not straightforward so he then doesn't want to arrive too quickly so he doesn't make it easy but I thought George gave him an absolute peach..
“He's very much a horse we have to go very gently and softly with. It was a big step up today but off a light weight so we're still very much in the handicap areas at the moment.
“He is owned by OTI as well and Tom Charlton and Tom O'Shea are due to receive him at some point; I suppose I could give them a call and see if we can hang on while there's some summer ground around.”
Talented and troublesome… there will be plenty of eyes on this horse when he arrives at Randwick!
