Kargali

Kargali ran out a game winner of the Listed Heritage Stakes, run over a mile at Leopardstown on Sunday. Kicked out of the stalls early, he was settled in clear third place behind a fast pace that was set by Tian Shan and Poet. Niggled along a little at the end of the back straight, he looked in trouble as Celtic Dane came up on his outside, but the further the race went on, the stronger Kargali appeared to get. Tongue lolling, he took it up off Poet just outside the furlong pole, and stayed on really well all the way to the line to repel the late challenge of Three Rocks.

A winner over seven furlongs and a mile last year as a three-year-old, the son of Invincible Spirit appeared to get outpaced in the Gladness Stakes by Mad About You over seven furlongs on his debut this season at The Curragh two weeks ago. The step up to a mile and the fast pace of Sunday’s contest seemed to suit him well, and he gave the impression that he may be even better suited by stepping up again in trip. This may be surprising, given that he is by Invincible Spirit, out of a Last Tycoon mare, but he is a half-brother to Kasthari, who won the Doncaster Cup over two and a quarter miles, as well as winning three hurdle races and a novice chase. John Oxx mentioned the Mooresbridge Stakes in early May as a possible next port of call for Kargali, and he would be an interesting contender in that. He has raced just five times now in his life, he is most progressive and he could turn out to be a high class performer this term. 10 furlongs may prove to be his optimum, and he will probably need to get his toe in at least a little in order to be seen at his best.

19th April 2009