Kortez Bay

Kortez Bay put up a nice performance in winning the nine-furlong handicap at Tipperary on Sunday. Settled back in the field early on by Gary Carroll, he was still eighth of the nine runners as the field concertinaed at the end of the back straight. He travelled really well into the home straight though and, when the gap opened up, he picked up nicely, got the better of early prominent racer Fleetfoot a furlong out, and he came away to win well.

This was a nice step forward by Sheila Lavery’s horse, stepped up to nine furlongs for the first time. He did well to come from the rear in a race that was run at a moderate pace, and he was fastest of all through each of the last three furlongs. Winner of his maiden at Fairyhouse in early June, connections thought enough of him to send him to Royal Ascot for the Jersey Stakes. That proved to be a step too far at the time, but, given a short break after that, he didn’t run badly in the Listed Platinum Stakes over seven furlongs at Cork on fast ground on his return. Raced exclusively over six and seven furlongs before Sunday, he saw out the nine-furlong trip well, and he handled the soft ground. A half-brother to 1000 Guineas runner-up Lady Kaya, this opens up more options for him. He will be of interest now again over this type of trip and on soft ground if he races again before the end of the season – he holds an entry in the Listed Trigo Stakes at Leopardstown on Sunday – and he could continue his progress next season as a four-year-old.

Tipperary, 6^th October 2024