Vinnie at home in Irish Leger

Millenary went off favourite in the Irish St Leger

Vinnie Roe held off a strong British challenge to provide a home win in the Jefferson Smurfit Memorial Irish St Leger at the Curragh.

The Dermot Weld-trained three-year-old came home two lengths clear of 9-4 favourite Millenary with Godolphin challenger Marienbard third in the Group One contest.

Millenary was bidding to land a St Leger double after winning the English equivalent last year but Pat Smullen timed his run just right on Vinnie Roe who will now be aimed at the Melbourne Cup.

I wanted to see how he got on against older horses with Melbourne in mind

Dermot Weld

Weld had opted for the Irish St Leger in favour of going to Doncaster and the decision paid off handsomely as the 5-1 chance completed a hat-trick of wins.

Veteran stayer Persian Punch made all the running and looked to be hampered by Millenary going into the final stages but a stewards inquiry left the placings unaltered.

Victory earned Vinnie Roe a 12-1 quote from Corals for Australia's biggest race at Flemington on 6 November.

And Weld, who sent out Vintage Crop to become the first Northern Hemisphere winner of the Melbourne Cup in 1993, is dreaming of a second success.

Pain barrier

"It was a close decision but I wanted to see how he got on against older horses with Melbourne in mind," said Weld as he explained his decision to run at the Curragh.

"Michael Kinane used to say that Vintage Crop ran through the pain barrier and this horse is the same."

David Elsworth also plans to send Persian Punch to the Melbourne Cup after his brave effort.

"Though he hasn't won, he's run a fantastic race and run out of his skin," said Elsworth.

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Jefferson Smurfit Memorial Irish St Leger

1 Vinnie Roe (Pat Smullen) 5-1
2 Millenary (Pat Eddery) 9-4 fav
3 Marienbard (Frankie Dettori 5-2