Kildare trainer Weld storms Leopardstown with impressive treble

Dermot Weld and Declan McDonogh ruled the roost at Leopardstown on Saturday with a treble at the Dublin venue. 

The impressive Flavius proved to be the highlight as the three-year-old claimed the Trigo Stakes on just his third racecourse start. 

Dermot Weld was highly complementary of his winning son of War Front and afterwards suggested there could be much more to come from the lightly raced Flavius next year. 

“He's a lovely colt and just got a little tired late pm. It was only his second run of the season and he is a 520 kilo colt,” Weld said.

“He's a lovely horse to look forward to for next season at group level and he could go all the way to the top. 

“We could look at aiming him towards the Tattersalls Gold Cup next May. He was about 80 percent for today so there is more to come from him. He's got the physique, the pedigree and a very good turn of foot."

Weld and McDonogh had earlier opened the card with a quick brace as Lightning Amber won the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Maiden before the beautifully bred Rakan opened his account at the second time of asking with an impressive display. 

Coral Beach caused something of an upset when winning the Group 3 Killavullan Stakes. 

Aidan O’Brien was deemed most likely to record a 12^th victory in Saturday’s feature race courtesy of Old Glory but it was Old Glory’s stable companion and the most experienced runner in the field Coral Beach who held off all challengers under Michael Hussey. 

The daughter of Zoffany travelled well entering the straight and began to pass through the field at the half way stage. The 16/1 shot hit the front inside the final furlong, holding on to record a one length success from Jim Bolger’s Guaranteed. 

Hussey, who previously won the Killavullan Stakes on Craftsman in 2013, commented “She’s got plenty of ability. She travelled very well for me and I probably got there too soon. She did idle a bit in the last furlong but she’s kept going well. She got her head in front at Cork recently and that’s given her plenty of confidence.”