WILLIE McCreery is eyeing another Matron Stakes after Jancis produced an electric turn of foot to claim the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Brownstown Stakes at Leopardstown on Thursday.
The Tamayuz filly had made a big impression when winning her maiden over course and distance last month and went to post an 11/2 shot stepping into Group 3 company. Billy Lee sat towards the rear on Arturo Cousino’s filly before asking her to take closer order in the straight.
She found a real change of gear inside the final furlong to quicken into the lead and record a convincing two and a quarter length win over Bluedrum. “She’s a lovely filly. She’s a great walking filly, she’s an athlete, and we just took our time with her. We’re happy with that,” said McCreery.
“We’ll come back here for the Matron, I don’t know if we’ll do anything before that. She’s a light framed filly and she doesn’t take much work. I just loved the way she picked up when she went through the gears. Billy thought there was still more there.”
McCreery had his biggest day as a trainer back in 2014 when Fiesolana won the Group 1 Matron Stakes.
Double victories
Lee was recording a double on the card having earlier partnered his first winner for Aidan O’Brien aboard Exactly in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Maiden.
The seven-furlong contest produced a terrific finish with only a head separating the 15/8 favourite and newcomer Chantez after they fought it out inside the final furlong.
Ballydoyle representative Chris Armstrong said: “Wayne (Lordan) loved her the first day he rode her at the Curragh, just nothing happened for her as she got stuck in traffic and it was just really a non-event.”
Armstrong added: “She got a lovely split up the rail today and in fairness she went for the gap, stuck her head down and really tried. She’s going to be a lovely filly for the back half of the year, maybe something like the Debutante or Flame Of Tara.”
THE big pot of the day was in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Nasrullah Handicap and trainer Ray Cody enjoyed his biggest success to date in the €100,000 contest with Lady Lunette.
Colin Keane was seen at his brilliant best on the 5/1 shot as she navigated traffic before coming with a strong surge to lead in the closing stages and beat Snellen by a length and a quarter. “That was great, that’s my biggest win and it was some pot to win,” said Cody, who trains the winner for Karen Curtin.
“I’m thrilled with her altogether. Colin said the more trouble she got into the more she came back on the bridle, it probably suited her. She had a nice weight on her back today and likes a bit of nice ground.
“The way the race fell suited her. Galway would be the plan. Colin said she’d probably stay further, she could go a mile and two. It’s a mile in Galway but it’s such a big pot.”
Galway bound
Galway is also on the cards for Giuseppe Cassioli after his victory in the Hermitage Green At Bulmers Live Handicap.
Keithen Kennedy delivered the 9/2 favourite to lead over a furlong from home and Ger O’Leary’s charge was always doing enough to record a half-length win over Rio Largo.
“It was a beautiful ride again by Keithen. He said that he wasn’t trying very hard early on but he got into it then,” said O’Leary. “He said he parked the bus and when he heard the horses coming behind him he went on again. He’ll go to Galway on the Tuesday for a 50-80 over seven furlongs. It should suit him nicely.”
Claimers cash in
Another claimer to come in for plenty of praise was Neil Ryan after his victory on Hokusai in the Boylesports Handicap over nine furlongs.
The 14/1 shot, owned by Seamus Hunt, was nursed into the lead a furlong from home and went on to record a length and a quarter success over Pegula.
Trainer Noel Meade said afterwards: “He’s been hard to win with. He likes a bit of ease in the ground and everything went well. He dropped down into the 65s which helped as well.
“Neil is the most fantastic worker, I’m so delighted for him to ride winners because he rides really well but he’s just been a bit unlucky. He gave that lad a peach.”
WITH Luke Comer’s three-year suspension due to kick in on Monday, the Dunboyne trainer sent out his ninth winner of the year when Seattle Creek flashed home to take the concluding amateur event.
The 14/1 shot found a good turn of foot in the closing stages, under Finny Maguire, to get up for a half-length win over The Names Jock. Assistant Jim Gorman said: “Finian was great on him, very strong. The horse had a good run in Berlin, he was only beaten three and a half lengths in a Group 2.
“He came back out of that in top order and he was in top order for today. It was a nice race, some nice horses in it, and he showed a little bit of class. He quickened well and he got a superb ride.”
Narrow margin
It was a card full of thrilling finishes and earlier Transcending Glory had emerged the narrowest of winners in the Ryans Cleaning Handicap over seven furlongs.
Johnny Murtagh’s charge was soon in front and the 15/2 shot found plenty when strongly pressed by Quadruple in the closing stages, clinging on for a nose success.
Winning rider Ben Coen said: “It’s nice to get his head back in front. To be fair he does try hard and he does battle them off when they come to him. He’s been an improving horse this year and hopefully he can stay going.”