Tag Archive for: Hanalia

Hanalia sparkles with last-to-first Blandford victory

/in /by

Hanalia came from last to first under Shane Foley to claim victory in the Moyglare “Jewels” Blandford Stakes at the Curragh.

Johnny Murtagh’s three-year-old had been highly tried since shedding her maiden tag over the course and distance in late May, landing a Listed prize at Naas before finishing sixth in the Irish Oaks and then second to fellow Aga Khan-owned filly Tarawa in a Group Three at this venue a fortnight ago.

Foley dropped his mount at the rear of the field for much of this Group Two contest, with Aidan O’Brien’s Wingspan setting a strong gallop in front from the stalls opening.

The latter refused to relent and saw off most of her challengers, including the 2-1 favourite Purple Lily, but 12-1 shot Hanalia finished fast and late on the outside to get up by a neck.

Murtagh said: “I thought she had improved from her last run here a couple of weeks ago – I might have left her one gallop short with an eye on this race.

“I did think she’d nearly win the last day, but a little bit of rain last night and the extra furlong today has helped. We were coming here quietly confident – I just had a feeling today was going to be the day for her.

“Shane gave her a great ride. She needs to be settled early as she’s keen and if you put her in the race early sometimes she can get up on the bridle. I just told her the more relaxed she is the better she’ll finish.”

He added: “She has a good turn of foot when she relaxes and we’re just thrilled she’s come out as a Group Two winner on Champions Weekend. It’s very important for me and His Highness the Aga Khan as well and we’ll probably have to give her a shot in a Group One next.

“She’s in the Prix de l’Opera and hopefully that’s the next target.”

My Mate Alfie (right) on their way to winning the opening race at the Curragh
My Mate Alfie (right) on their way to winning the opening race at the Curragh (Niall Carson/PA)

Ger Lyons and Colin Keane combined to land the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Bold Lad Sprint Handicap, with My Mate Alfie (12-1) running out a decisive winner.

“He’s a lovely horse. He’s invisible at home, so much so that he caught me out a couple of times early on forgetting to put blinkers on him,” said Lyons.

“He works to the button without blinkers, but on the track he just won’t do it. He’s one of those fantastic horses and I know he gets seven (furlongs).

“He holds an entry in the Ayr Gold Cup, I’m not saying we won’t do it as it’s a race I want to win, but we’ve been training this lad with the future in mind.

“Whether he’s a Group One sprinter, it’s a huge jump from Group Three, but he’s definitely going to mature into a better horse.”



Try Tix for Better Tote Returns

John Velazquez fifth on first ever ride in Ireland

/in /by

Hall of Fame rider John Velazquez was the star attraction at Naas on Wednesday evening, where his first ever ride on Irish soil, De Janeiro, finished fifth in the Tinnakill House Maiden.

An undoubted all-time great of the saddle, Velazquez, 52, has won the Kentucky Derby three times, the Preakness once and the Belmont twice. The 52-year-old also has four wins at Royal Ascot to his name, most recently Crimson Advocate in last year’s Queen Mary Stakes.

The Dermot Weld-trained De Janeiro was reasonably smartly away and while never looking like winning she stayed on well enough from two furlongs out to suggest there may be a race in her over further. As it was the six-furlong contest was won in good style by Pat Foley’s 2-5 favourite Over The Blues.

The feature Al Shira’aa Racing Irish EBF Naas Oaks Trial went to the Johnny Murtagh-trained Hanalia (16-1).

Fourth first time out at Gowran Park, before winning at the Curragh, the Aga Khan-owned daughter of Sea The Stars was last for much of the early exchanges in the Listed contest, with Aidan O’Brien’s Greenfinch just in front of her.

Ben Coen never panicked, however, and his mount picked up strongly when switched for her run to ultimately come out on top by three-quarters of a length from Bellezza, with Greenfinch and Ryan Moore a short head away in third.

Murtagh said: “She always showed us plenty. She was one of the ones we really liked and were looking forward to her this year.

“She’s not big, but has a good turn of foot. When she relaxes early she has a good turn of foot and it worked out very well today.

“Ben said they went quick down to the bend and he was able to sit on her. When he turned in he had to look for a gap, but when he did she quickened up well and he said he loved the way she hit the line. She was tough as well.

“She’s got a bit of class and it’s nice to get a Listed winner because it looked a very competitive race this morning.

“We were coming here confident and she did a nice piece of work during the week. I was surprised she was 25-1 (opening price), but that’s the kind of race it was.

“Ben said he wouldn’t go a mile and a half just yet, maybe later. A mile- and a quarter is good for her at the moment.”

He added: “I entered her this morning in a Group Three over a mile and one at the Curragh in three weeks’ time. I’d definitely bring her back to a mile and one rather than going a mile and a half at this stage.”



Try Tix for Better Tote Returns