Power Blue downs True Love in Phoenix shock

True Love suffered a shock defeat as Power Blue turned around previous form to win the Keeneland Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh.

The Adrian Murray-trained Power Blue was beaten five and three-quarter lengths by Aidan O’Brien’s True Love in the Railway Stakes last time out and as a result she was sent off a 1-4 favourite in the absence of stablemate Gstaad, who was a non runner.

Power Blue was one of two runners for Amo Racing along with Do Bronxs and the pair were prominent from the off, with Ryan Moore sitting on their heels aboard True Love.

Do Bronxs dropped away quickly when the race began in earnest and it looked as though True Love was coming to win with a furlong to run but 10-1 shot Power Blue was incredibly game for jockey David Egan, digging deep to repel her challenge by a length and a half.

It was a further length and three-quarters back to Green Sense in third.

Egan said: “He wears his heart on his sleeve. We went hard all the way with that tailwind. I’m sure we went fast fractions, and we really ran them into the ground. It was a really tough performance.

“I was glad when I jumped out of the gates and the fancied one (True Love) was on my left. I always kept an eye on her. I could have stayed straight, but I just angled over so he would have something to fight against because he loves a battle. That was key.”

The winning connections were completing a quickfire double after Bucanero Fuerte landed the Group Three Phoenix Sprint Stakes and Egan added: “It’s fantastic, a mega day.

“It’s my first Group One for Amo, which is huge for myself and the team. So much hard work goes into it and Kia puts a lot into the game. He obviously had his critics but to give him a day like this is a proud day.

“I knew the second half of the season was going to be better than the first half for us, and the second year better than the first, and the third year better than the second. It’s all about giving it time.”

Murray said: “I’ve never had a better day in racing. The two horses looked amazing today.

“I said to Robson (Aguiar, assistant trainer) coming down here that he’s got bigger and stronger and is improving all year. He was entitled to take his chance and has never run a bad race.

“He had a brilliant run in Ascot and is improving all year.

“A furlong out I was starting to think the filly wasn’t getting to him. She was starting to come under pressure, and he was still in his comfort zone.”