Racecards
16:05 Leopardstown (IRE)
John Deere Juvenile Turf Stakes (Group 3) (Class 1)
- 7 Runners
- Distance: 1m
- Going: Good to Firm, Good in places
- Surface: Turf
- €100,000 added
- Winner: €60,000
- 2nd: €19,000
- 3rd: €9,000
- 4th: €3,000
- Form 635
- Age 2
- Weight 9-3
- Official Rating 97
always rear, never a factor, no extra under 2f out
- Form 11
- Age 2
- Weight 9-3
- Official Rating 101
- Trainer G M Lyons
- Jockey G F Carroll
chased leaders, 5th halfway, ridden 2f out and no impression in 4th 1f out, under pressure and kept on one pace
- Form 12
- Age 2
- Weight 9-3
- Official Rating 98
- Trainer A P O'Brien
- Jockey J A Heffernan
led, headed entering straight, no extra in 5th 1f out, eased inside final furlong
- Form 84172
- Age 2
- Weight 9-3
- Official Rating 98
- Trainer B J Meehan
- Jockey Fran Berry
tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, challenged entering straight, soon headed by winner and no impression in 3rd 1f out, kept on one pace
- Form 21
- Age 2
- Weight 9-3
- Trainer A P O'Brien
- Jockey Joseph O'Brien
tracked leaders, 4th halfway, progress to lead under 2f out, ridden to assert and edged left 1f out, kept on well, comfortably
- Form 12
- Age 2
- Weight 9-3
- Official Rating 105
- Trainer D K Weld
- Jockey P J Smullen
tracked leader, 4th entering straight, ridden to go 2nd 1f out, no impression on winner, kept on one pace
- Form 341
- Age 2
- Weight 9-3
- Official Rating 85
- Trainer J S Bolger
- Jockey K J Manning
chased leaders, 6th halfway, no extra early straight, kept on one pace
Verdict
Aidan O'Brien has won all four renewals in its different guises, including with Australia a year ago. Joseph has opted for John F Kennedy and it's not difficult to see why after his mount demolished his rivals at the Curragh, though all three who followed him home have been beaten subsequently. Seamie Heffernan is on board East India, a winner at the Curragh on his debut but beaten at very long odds-on by Convergance in a Listed race at Tipperary. Bertie Le Belge narrowly saw off the attentions of Itorio in a Listed contest over 7f here in July before twice beaten when stepped up in class so the form pick has to be TOMBELAINE. He started with a narrow victory over subsequent Group 2 winner Highland Reel over 7f here in June then just failed to hold the Futurity winner Gleneagles on a return visit the following month. He'll have strengthened up in the meantime and can take this for Dermot Weld.
Formwatch
Approbare (IRE) 50-1 (9-3) Raced in rear, ridden 1 1/2f out and soon no impression, kept on into moderate 5th close home, 5th of 7, 4 1/2l behind Cappella Sansevero (9-3) at Curragh 6f 2yo Grp 3 (1) in Aug.
Bertie Le Belge (IRE) 7-4fav (9-4) Raced mainly in 3rd, ridden over 2f out, improved into 2nd over 1f out, kept on well inside final furlong to lead close home, won at Leopardstown 7f 2yo stk gf in Jul beating Itorio (9-5) by 1/2l, 5 ran.
East India 1-5fav (9-3) Ran 3rd, pushed along in 2nd approaching straight, under pressure and no impression on winner under 2f out, kept on one pace, 2nd of 5, 5l behind Convergence (9-3) at Tipperary 7f 2yo lst stk (1) gf in Aug.
Faithful Creek (IRE) 8-1 (8-11) 2nd of 9, 1 1/4l behind Medley Chic (8-11) at Deauville(FR) 1m 2yo lst stk (1) sft in Aug.
John F Kennedy (IRE) 11-8fav (9-5) Tracked leaders, 5th halfway, closer in 4th 2f out, ridden to lead over 1 1/2f out, stretched clear final furlong, impressive, won at Curragh 1m 2yo mdn in Aug beating Pincode (9-5) by 5l, 12 ran.
Tombelaine (USA) 7-4 (9-3) Tracked leader in 2nd, pushed along and headed by winner over 1f out, kept on one pace inside final furlong, 2nd of 3, 3/4l behind Gleneagles (9-3) at Leopardstown 7f 2yo Grp 3 (1) gf in Jul.
Vocaliser (IRE) 7-2 (9-5) Chased leader in 2nd, improved to lead 2f out, soon ridden, stayed on well under pressure final furlong, won at Roscommon 7f 2yo mdn beating Intransive (9-5) by 1 1/2l, 15 ran.