Daytona races to Smullen success at Naas
A comfortable Gowran winner on his racecourse debut last month, Daytona was sent off the 4-5 favourite for trainer Aidan O'Brien and jockey Wayne Lordan, with the result never really looking in doubt.
Daytona initially looked a little green when given the signal to go on by Lordan, but he was too good for North Shore, pulling three and a quarter lengths clear with the minimum of fuss, earning a 20-1 quote from Paddy Power for next year's 2000 Guineas.
Stable representative Chris Armstrong said: 'Jack (Cleary) gave him a lovely introduction in Gowran where for a first timer and he was impressive. He's come along lovely at home since then, but he's still fairly raw.
'They went along at a nice pace and he travelled into it really strong, but when he got there he was still very babyish.
'He has the makings of a lovely horse and next year you could see him over a mile and a quarter.
'He could be one for something like the Futurity or Golden Fleece. He's a horse to look forward to. He'll develop physically, he's a fine big imposing horse and he's by that sire Wootton Bassett.'
This mile race is part of the new 'Smullen Series' which consists of 18 middle-distance races for two and three-year-olds and honours the late Irish champion jockey who enjoyed Derby glory with Harzand.
Smullen was O'Brien's brother-in-law and Armstrong added: 'It's a lovely new series that they've introduced and all these new series initiatives help the programme.
'It's named after a legend and Aidan picked this race out straight after Gowran for him. He's delighted to win the first running of it and hopefully we can win a few more of them.'
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