Australia's day in Irish Derby
Australia gave trainer Aidan O’Brien an amazing 11th triumph in the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby at the Curragh as he duly landed the odds.
Winner of the Investec Derby at Epsom on his previous start, the colt followed in the hoofprints of his sire, Galileo, who took this prize in 2001 and his dam, Ouija Board, the Irish Oaks winner in 2004.
Joseph O’Brien, riding his second Irish Derby winner, sat in third place as stablemates Kingfisher and Orchestra made the running.
He made his move on Australia in the straight before leading a furlong out and going on to score as he liked.
The 1-8 favourite was eased down close home, while Kingfisher (25-1) was second and Orchestra third as the O’Brien team filled the first three places.
Australia was sent off at a highly prohibitive price after the race was reduced to just five runners with the late defections of Epsom runner-up Kingston Hill and the winner’s stablemate, Geoffrey Chaucer.
However, the expectant crowd got the result they had hoped for as the Ballydoyle inmate completed the Derby double in championship style.
Aidan O'Brien said: ``He's got a lot of speed and so much class, it's incredible.
“He just relaxes in his races. Pace is his big thing, he just travels.
“It’s very strange that he gets a mile and a half, but I would say he will shorten right up after that. I imagine he’ll go back to a mile and a quarter now.”
Asked about the possibility of Australia running in the Qipco Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown on September 13, O’Brien said: “I would say he was made for that race.”
