OTI’s Ciarrai Abu Sydney-bound after Goodwood win

Ciarrai Abu enhanced his reputation before a planned move to Australia with a dominant victory in the Coral Kincsem Heritage Handicap at Glorious Goodwood in the UK on Thursday.

The three-year-old, who is set to join the stable of John O’Shea and Tom Charlton, gave trainer Harry Eustace success in the 2000-metre handicap, scoring by a length under George Wood as the favourite in a field of 14.

By Study Of Man, the sire of multiple Group 1 winner Kalpana, Ciarrai Abu has now won three of his six starts. The Goodwood success was his first beyond 1600 metres.

The gelding overcame pre-race antics to record the victory.

“Ciarrai Abu doesn’t make it easy for any of us, before or after, but he’s obviously got plenty of ability; just needs to direct it in the right direction,” said Harry Eustace.

“He’s actually done that [racing on and off the bridle] before in a few of his races back at a mile so I was confident when George [Wood] went for him he’d come up for him.

“He’s obviously not straightforward so he then doesn’t want to arrive too quickly so he doesn’t make it easy but I thought George gave him an absolute peach.

“He’s very much a horse we have to go very gently and softly with. It was a big step up today but off a light weight so we’re still very much in the handicap areas at the moment.

“He is owned by OTI as well and Tom Charlton and John O’Shea are due to receive him at some point; I suppose I could give them a call and see if we can hang on while there’s some summer ground around.”