Point Lonsdale returned from a year-long absence to win the Alleged Stakes (G3) at the Curragh on Sunday. The Aidan O’Brien-trained colt had not been on the racetrack since a disappointing run in the 2022 2000 Guineas (G1) behind Coroebus.
It was an eye-catching performance from Point Lonsdale, who seemed to relish the step up to 1m2f for the first time. Jockey Wayne Lordan settled the four-year-old into second behind proven heavy ground performer Visualisation and asked Point Lonsdale to challenge at the two-furlong marker. He showed a smart turn of foot to draw clear by one-and-a-half lengths.
Winning trainer Aidan O'Brien was pleased with the display, "You'd have to be very happy with that considering it was his first run back on that ground. He's going to stay further. We always thought as a two-year-old he'd stay further than seven furlongs, but we never went up in trip as we had other horses."
A multiple Group winner at two, Point Lonsdale's only defeat in his five-race juvenile campaign came when second in the National Stakes (G1) behind Native Trail. The colt is a full-brother to Group One winner Broome, who has produced his best form over twelve furlongs but also won the two-mile Dubai Gold Cup (G2) on his last start in March.
In the Gladness Stakes (G3), Joseph O'Brien's Goldana made a winning stable debut as she set out for new connections. Bought from Germany, the four-year-old filly looked promising for former trainer Peter Schiergen, winning the Alson-Trophy (L) over nine furlongs at Hanover in October.
Goldana was keen from the start and pressed the leaders until hitting the front in the final stages of the race. She faced a strong challenge from favourite Mea Domina but held on well to win by one-and-three-quarter lengths. Cosmic Vega finished a neck back in third.
"I'm delighted with her and for the owners as it's their first horse with me," said winning trainer Joseph O'Brien. "She's a half-sister to Love Reigns, who is a smart filly of Wesley Ward's, and was a Listed winner in Germany. She looks a nice prospect for the season. The Athasi might come a little soon but there's a lovely fillies' programme over this sort of distance."
