A good week for Kodiac continued on Friday with the success of John Connaughton's homebred Bear Story in the Group 3 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Diamond Stakes at Dundalk. His win followed hot on the heels of 2yo Straight Answer in the Listed Blenheim Stakes at Fairyhouse earlier in the week.
Bear Story had been holding his own in premier handicap company for Michael Halford since breaking his maiden at Dundalk last December. On Friday, he justified favouritism to hold off the challenge of Lough Derg to win cosily by a neck.
"Bear Story has been a nice improving horse all year and wasn't having much luck," said Michael Halford. "He got shuffled back the last day at the Curragh and got interfered with again up the straight. He won his maiden here last year so we knew he'd go on it and the trip is ideal for him. He's got a lot of heart and Ronan [Whelan] gave him a lovely ride. The plan all year was to get black type with him and he's done that. He's a horse with lots of options and he could go to Dubai."
The 73rd stakes winner for Kodiac, Bear Story is out of John Connaughton's homebred Angels Story, a Galileo half-sister to top Hong Kong performer Dunboyne Express from the further family of Oaks heroine Love Divine.
