Al Riffa stamps class on Irish St Leger at the Curragh

The Melbourne Cup-bound Al Riffa stamped his class on the Comer Group International Irish St. Leger.

Winner of the National Stakes on this day three years ago, Joseph O’Brien’s charge doubled his Group One tally in Germany last summer and opened his account for the current campaign in the Curragh Cup over this course and distance in mid-July.

The most recent of those victories prompted ownership group Australian Bloodstock Two to get involved ahead of a planned trip to Flemington in November, and he appears a major contender for a race his trainer has previously won with Rekindling in 2017 and Twilight Payment in 2020.

Ridden by Dylan Browne McMonagle, Al Riffa (3-1) was given a patient ride as Karl Burke’s front-running Al Qareem committed for home from the front at the top of the straight.

Ralph Beckett’s previously unbeaten British raider Amiloc moved smoothly into his slipstream and looked a major player, but Al Riffa then arrived on his tail with even more in the tank and kicked four lengths clear in the final furlong.

O’Brien’s charge was cut to 8-1 from 12-1 for the Melbourne Cup by Coral, and the trainer said: “We knew the guys that were guaranteed stayers were going to try to expose the stamina of those that weren’t, and the pace was really strong.

“Dylan was cool on the horse and confident. He’s been a great horse for us, he always turns up and runs his race and I’m delighted for the ownership group.

“It was a gruelling race, but we’ll freshen him up and hopefully get him to the Melbourne Cup.

“He’s two for two now since he’s gone up in trip and he has the right attributes. He settles well, he has a turn of foot, and he stays. Hopefully we have a smooth preparation.”

Jamie Lovett, representing the Australian owners, said: “He was perfectly prepared by Joseph and his team, and we’re delighted to be a part of it.

“He wasn’t a hard horse to identify when he went out to 2800 metres last time. That convinced us that he might be the horse to try to win the Melbourne Cup.

“He’ll need to carry weight because they won’t miss him, but I feel sure he’s the right horse to do that.

“Joseph knows how to win the race, and we have four Melbourne Cups between us.”

Beckett was pleased with Amiloc’s run, and he too will have a high-profile target overseas, after what was his first start since winning at Royal Ascot in June.

“He did take a long time to get over the King Edward VII Stakes and the only concern I had coming today was whether he’d done enough at home, but he clearly had,” said Beckett.

“I think he’ll probably go to the Breeders’ Cup Turf – I think it will really suit him.

“With that pedigree and the make-up of a horse that he is, he should get better.”