Tag Archive for: Vespertilio

McCreery has high hopes this season for Vespertilio

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Vespertilio is pencilled in for sprint targets in both Ireland and England after skipping the Minstrel Stakes at the weekend.

The filly was an intended runner in the Group Two at the Curragh on Sunday, but when the going description was changed to good to yielding trainer Willie McCreery opted to save her for more suitable ground.

The Phoenix Sprint Stakes is now on the agenda, over six furlongs at Group Three level at the Curragh, with the Sprint Cup at Haydock a longer-term aim later in the year.

“It was just that the ground changed and I thought that might take the sting out of her sprint,” McCreery said of Vespertilio’s withdrawal.

“We’d said we’d leave it as there are a couple of other races for her. She’s entered in the Phoenix Sprint Stakes at the Curragh, we could go for that, and then probably we’d have a look at the Haydock Sprint Cup.

“She’s come out this year a lot stronger and a lot more like a sprinter I think, hopefully I’m correct.

“We’ve got to give her another go at Group One level at one stage, I think sprinting is her game and I think she’s very, very fast.”

McCreery has another quality filly in Jancis, who is entered in the Valiant Stakes at Ascot on Saturday and will travel across to Berkshire if the going allows.

It is a step back to a mile for the chestnut, who was last seen finishing fifth in the Pretty Polly Stakes at the Curragh and prior to that was also fifth in the one-mile Lanwades Stud Stakes at the same track.

“She’s entered in the Valiant on Saturday at Ascot over the mile,” said McCreery.

“We’ll see what the ground is like for her, she needs quick ground so hopefully we’ll get it and we’ll be able to travel over for Saturday.

“I have been trying to stretch her out to a mile and two furlongs to give her more options, but I think a faster trip suits her better so we’ll go back to the mile now.”

Vespertilio pips My Mate Alfie in Dash thriller

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Vespertilio edged out last year’s winner My Mate Alfie in a thrilling finish to the Jebel Ali Racecourse & Stables Dash Stakes at the Curragh.

One of Willie McCreery’s stable stars, Verspertilio was not beaten far in the Greenlands Stakes over this course and distance last time out but was given a more patient ride this time around by Dylan Browne McMonagle.

As Ger Lyons’ My Mate Alfie produced his customary honest challenge from up near the pace, Browne McMonagle found himself towards the rear of the field as the race began to develop, but he had a willing partner as the daughter of Night Of Thunder quickly weaved her way to within striking distance.

It was soon left to the the 2-1 favourite to fight out the conclusion with her main market rival My Mate Alfie, with just a short head separating them at the finish, as Vespertilio tasted success for the first time since claiming the Debutante Stakes as a two-year-old.

McCreery said: “She needs cover and lots of speed. Dylan was very patient and said when she hit the front she thought she had everything done and pulled herself up.

“I’m delighted to get her back in the winner’s enclosure. She won a Group Two here as a two-year-old and was third in a French Guineas.

“It was hard to persuade the owners to bring her back to six furlongs as she had such good form over a mile, but it has paid off – Night Of Thunder puts loads of speed into them, the important thing is to switch her off early.

“We might go for the Maurice De Gheest. She has a French breeder premium so she gets another bonus on top if she does well over there.”