Normal service resumed for Vinnie Roe
Ascot Gold Cup runner-up Vinnie Roe returned to winning ways with victory in Listed company at Leopardstown yesterday as he formed part of a hat-trick for trainer Dermot Weld and jockey Pat Smullen.
Vinnie Roe had to demonstrate his fighting qualities once more as he took the Ballyroan Stakes in a good finish with 4-1 chance Millstreet with Smullen only having to give his mount one crack of the whip to retain his lead.
“The boss has left a lot to work on. I was trying to be as easy as I could on Vinnie Roe and he never disappoints us,” said Smullen.
The stable had earlier been on the mark with Dressed To Thrill, who took the Group Three Desmond Stakes on what was only her second start of the season.
She booked a crack at the Matron Stakes back at the Dublin course next month as she overhauled James Toller’s Duck Row and the front-running Ahsanabad in the closing stages.
Weld was still in Chicago after Saturday night’s narrow defeat for Jazz Beat in the Secretariat Stakes but his son Mark said: “My father is thrilled with this performance and he is getting very little sleep in Chicago as we keep ringing him to relay the races here.”
Weld jnr confirmed the long-held plan for Vinnie Roe to attempt a repeat next month at the Curragh of last year’s success in the Irish St Leger before heading to Australia for a crack at the Melbourne Cup.
Perfect Touch provided the middle leg of the three-timer when obliging in the Leopardstown Golf Centre Handicap at 13-2.
