Baby Zeus

It could be worthwhile following Baby Zeus for another little while, even though he was raised by 9lb by the handicapper for winning the 10-furlong handicap at The Curragh on Sunday. Held up early on by Colin Keane, second last of the 11 runners, he had to go wide into the home straight in order to guarantee a clear run, and he had to drop back to last in order to do so. He made nice ground though up on the outside of the field as they raced to the two-furlong marker, and he picked up well to hit the front at the furlong pole. He wandered around a little once he got to the front, and he gave a chance to Mirann, who himself finished well on the far side after extricating himself from a pocket, but Baby Zeus kept on well enough on the outside for Colin Keane and got home by a half a length.

It was a strong performance by the Footstepsinthesand gelding on this, his first run for Willie Mullins. It was a good race, and he left the impression than he had more in hand than the bare winning margin. He did well for Ger Lyons, he won his maiden at Killarney on his racecourse debut as a juvenile, and he finished third in the Ulster Derby last July. This was his first run of the season, it was his first run since he finished seventh in a 10-furlong handicap at Naas last August, and it was just his seventh race, so he has plenty of potential for progression. He has the potential to go higher than his new mark of 94. He is a full-brother to Lagostovegas, who won an Ascot Stakes at Royal Ascot and who finished second in a listed race at Naas over a mile and a half, so he could go out in trip now. He will be of interest wherever he goes next.
The Curragh, 23^rd May 2021