Son Of Australia Completes Hat Trick In Stakes Contest

Friday saw Earl Of Tyrone (4g Australia - Affirmative, by Pivotal) land the Listed Martin Molony Stakes at Limerick to complete a hat-trick of wins for Paddy Twomey and owner/breeder Robert Moran.

Ridden to chase the leaders by Billy Lee, he was pushed along from two furlongs out and soon led. Keeping on strongly, he ran on well under pressure to deny the fast-finishing favourite by a length and a quarter.

“He hasn't put a foot wrong all spring,” Twomey said after the race. “I thought he was good the last day at the Curragh. I've been happy with him at home since and I said to Billy that I thought he'd go well in this.”

The valuable Ebor Handicap is next on the agenda for Earl Of Tyrone, who completed a smart double on the day for his sire Australia. Earlier that evening at Ayr, the William Haggas-trained Asean Legend (3c Australia - Queenscliff, by Danehill Dancer) made all to justify favouritism in the mile maiden.

Runner-up on all three of his starts as a two-year-old, the KK Ho-owned bay finished a promising fourth on his seasonal return at Chester last month. Partnered by Paul Mulrennan on Friday, he drew clear with one rival three furlongs from home and was ridden approaching the final furlong. Digging deep, he kept on well to prevail on the line, with the pair finishing nine and a half lengths clear of the field.

Asean Legend was bred by Longfield Stud and is a full-brother to Group performer Ace Aussie (Australia).