By Tom Frary
Runner-up in a gruelling renewal of the G2 Norfolk S. at Royal Ascot last Thursday, Go Bears Go (Ire) (Kodi Bear {Ire}) demonstrated his toughness to back up quickly and edge out the G3 Marble Hill S. first and second Castle Star (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}) and Masseto (GB) (Territories {Ire}) in a strong edition of The Curragh's G2 GAIN Railway S. on Saturday. Shadowing the leader The Acropolis (Ire) (Churchill {Ire}) in second throughout, the 17-2 shot who sported the Amo Racing silks was in front two out and refused to buckle from there under Rossa Ryan as he registered a 1 1/4-length success from Castle Star, with the same margin back to Masseto in third. TDN Rising Star Dr Zempf (GB) (Dark Angel {Ire}) was a neck away in fourth.
Successful from the front on debut over five furlongs at Ascot May 8, Go Bears Go was the winner on his side as the stand's-side runner Perfect Power (Ire) (Ardad {Ire}) swooped late in the Norfolk, so he has yet to be beaten when directly engaged in a race. Rossa Ryan was understandably delighted to mark his return from recent injury with the high-profile win. “He ran a super race in the Norfolk–he was just the wrong side,” he said. “We were so positive that he'd stay six furlongs and it was a big toss-up before Ascot between the Norfolk and the Coventry. Dave [Loughnane] took a massive risk coming here a week later, so we're glad it's paid off. He's a top-class sprinter in the making, I think. He's got the best attitude and a big up to Robson Aguiar and his team, who did prep this lad for the breeze-ups and they prep a good few of our yearlings. They did a fantastic job with him. To David Loughnane and all his team, they've been rock-solid. I have the easy job of steering them and I can only say thanks to everybody. I have to give a massive thanks to my boss Kia [Joorabchian] and everyone at Amo Racing, because they had the faith in me to get back on these on such a big weekend and do it.”
Go Bears Go is the last known foal out of In Dubai (Giant's Causeway), a daughter of Bahr (GB) (Generous {Ire}) who captured the G2 Ribblesdale S. and G3 Musidora S. and was runner-up in the G1 Epsom Oaks and third in the G1 Irish Oaks. She was responsible for the G1 Prix de l'Opera and GI Flower Bowl Invitational heroine Nahrain (GB) (Selkirk), who in turn produced the G1 Dubai Turf, G1 Caulfield S. and G1 Grosser Dallmayr-Preis hero Benbatl (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}). Bahr is also the ancestress of the G3 Palace House S. winner Far Above (Ire) (Farhh {GB}).
Saturday, Curragh, Ireland
GAIN RAILWAY S.-G2, €100,000, Curragh, 6-26, 2yo, 6fT, 1:12.80, gd.
1–GO BEARS GO (IRE), 131, c, 2, by Kodi Bear (Ire)
1st Dam: In Dubai, by Giant's Causeway
2nd Dam: Bahr (GB), by Generous (Ire)
3rd Dam: Lady of the Sea, by Mill Reef
1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN; 1ST GROUP WIN. (£50,000 Ylg '20 TATIRY; 150,000gns 2yo '21 TATBRE). O-Amo Racing Ltd & P Waney; B-Micheal D Ryan (IRE); T-David Loughnane; J-Rossa Ryan. €60,000. Lifetime Record: GSP-Eng, 3-2-1-0, $104,216. Werk Nick Rating: A+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Castle Star (Ire), 131, c, 2, Starspangledbanner (Aus)–Awohaam (Ire), by Iffraaj (GB). O-Craig Bernick & Antony Beck; B-Churchtown Bloodstock, Grouseridge & Carhue (IRE); T-Fozzy Stack. €20,000.
3–Masseto (GB), 131, c, 2, Territories (Ire)–Never Change (Ire), by New Approach (Ire). (62,000gns Wlg '19 TATFOA; 65,000gns Ylg '20 TATOCT). O-Leonard Green; B-Ciaran Paterson (GB); T-Donnacha O'Brien. €10,000.
Margins: 1 1/4, 1 1/4, NK. Odds: 8.50, 3.50, 7.50.
Also Ran: Dr Zempf (GB), Twilight Jet (Ire), Andreas Vesalius (Ire), Cadamosto (Ire), The Acropolis (Ire), The Entertainer (Ire), Pinar Del Rio (GB), Albion Square (GB), Dukebox (Ire), Strapped (Ire), Arges (Ire). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
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