Talented Son Of Australia Makes Smart Return In Group 3

The talented Point Lonsdale (4c Australia - Sweepstake, by Acclamation) made a pleasing return on Sunday to justify favouritism in the Group 3 Alleged Stakes at the Curragh.

Aidan O’Brien’s charge proved top-class as a juvenile, with his first four starts winning ones, including a Chesham Stakes victory, and followed by a gallant second in the Group 1 National Stakes. The son of Australia suffered a setback in the 2,000 Guineas last season and stepped up to ten furlongs for the first time on Sunday.

Chasing the leader under Wayne Lordan, he was asked to quicken from three furlongs out and was ridden to challenge a furlong later. Staying on well to lead inside the final furlong, he won by a length and a half going away, as Visualisation (No Nay Never) completed a 1-2 for Coolmore Stud sires. The pair finished seven lengths clear of the field.

“You’d have to be very happy with that considering it was his first run back on that ground,” O’Brien said after the race. “He was a very good two-year-old who was beaten in the National Stakes only by Native Trail. He’s a full-brother to Broome and is just a lovely, genuine, clear-winded horse.”

Looking to the future, O’Brien added, “He’s going to stay further. The Tattersalls Gold Cup is an option but we also have Luxembourg in the same kind of bracket. All those races are open to him now.”

Owned by Coolmore partners and Westerberg, Point Lonsdale was bought by MV Magnier as a yearling for 575,000gns. Bred by Epona Bloodstock, the son of Australia is a full-brother to Group 1 victor Broome (Australia), who gained his seventh Group win last month.