Promising Son Of Australia Scores On Return

Shark Bay (3c Australia - Defrost My Heart, by Fastnet Rock) reproduced the promise shown as a juvenile to win on his three-year-old return at Cork on Sunday.

The Ballydoyle representative was narrowly beaten twice as a two-year-old, including by subsequent Group 2 winner Atomic Jones (Wootton Bassett), and was sent off second favourite for the maiden as he stepped up to ten furlongs. The chesnut raced in midfield under Ryan Moore, who asked him to quicken from four furlongs out and made headway to press the leader approaching the final furlong. Staying on well, he won by half a length on the line.

Speaking after the race, Moore said, “He had some good form last year and it was nice to step him up in trip. He showed a good attitude to win. He is still learning and I expect him to progress.”

Trained by Aidan O’Brien for Derrick Smith, Mrs John Magnier, Michael Tabor and Westerberg, Shark Bay was bought by MV Magnier as a yearling for 135,000gns. The son of Australia was bred by Fair Salina out of the black-type Fastnet Rock mare Defrost My Heart.