Lemista is on a fast track to glory for Lyons
GER LYONS enjoyed a onethree in the Lodge Park Stud Irish EBF Park Express Stakes at Naas, with Lemista taking Group Three honours on the way to what could be even better things.
Stablemate Even So had to settle for third as the odds-on favourite, with Mick Halford’s Hamariyna splitting the pair in second, and the front three all looking smart prospects for the future.
Lemista, a winner on heavy ground when last seen at Gowran in October, hit the front over a furlong out under Chris Hayes, who was completing a double on the day, after Even So had made her challenge.
Hamariyna tracked Lemista and was initially caught out for speed before staying on strongly down the centre of the track, but was beaten threequarters of a length by the 8-1 winner.
Lyons’ brother, Shane, said: ‘We’re very happy with her. We had to throw her into that race with the way the ground is. As we know she wants a mile and a half and you need a horse with stamina for that ground. Chris said she’d appreciate better ground to be able to use her long stride. Stepping up trip, I think she is an exciting filly.
‘She could be aimed at the Oaks. We never thought she’d be a Guineas filly, trip-wise. Since February onwards we’ve been very happy and we’re just delighted she’s gone and done it.
‘The other filly (Even So) has run a cracker too. She got a little bit tired half a furlong from home and with her being down the inside where the ground is deader, it just found her out. She is in the Guineas, but I don’t know if she’d be quick enough and both of them could go for Oaks trials.’
Meanwhile, Jim Bolger will be hoping Poetic Flare can enjoy just a fraction of the success of his sire Dawn Approach, as he followed in his footsteps by winning the opening race at Naas.
Dawn Approach won the Irish Stallion
Farms EBF Maiden in 2012 and went on to be crowned champion juvenile, as well as winning the 2000 Guineas and St James’s Palace Stakes in his Classic season.
Poetic Flare was sent off the 2-1 joint-favourite for the five-furlong contest, along with Aidan O’Brien’s Lipizanner – a first runner for the yard from the sire Uncle Mo.
It was not until the final few strides that Poetic Flare began to get on top for Kevin Manning, but he managed to pull half a length clear with Lipizanner running a very promising race himself.
Bolger won the race three years in succession between 2011 and 2013, and Manning said: ‘It was dead, tacky ground. He was very straightforward and did that well. I’m very pleased with him.’
O’Brien made sure he did not leave the opening meeting without a winner, as Russian Emperor (2-1 favourite) came from the clouds to win the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden.
‘He had a lovely run last year, he’s a fine, big colt,’ said Heffernan of the son of Galileo, who holds an Investec Derby entry.
The money came for Woodford General before the Naas Nursery Of Champions Maiden and proved spot on as he ran out a ready winner. Having shown ability on the final of three outings last season, Kieran Cotter’s three-year-old was sent off the 7-2 second-favourite.
From his draw near the rail, Ben Coen ended up in the centre of the track and when he asked the son of Gutaifan to quicken, he shot seven lengths clear. Getawiggleon beat O’Brien’s King Of Malta in a photo for second.