Bolger poised for further glory with Teolane
Sending the filly to the royal meeting just three days after she won a Listed race at Cork was audacious in its inception, but we shouldn’t be surprised it worked again.
This afternoon, Bolger’s two-year-old filly Teolane, who is favourite for the opening Albany Stakes, will be having her third run inside three weeks, and who would dare suggest that this assignment might prove too much for one of such tender years?
A most eye-catching fourth behind the immensely promising Maybe on her debut at Naas a little more than a month ago, she showed the benefit of the outing when running away with a seven-furlong Leopardstown maiden on her next outing.
Confirming her progressive profile and versatility, she reversed earlier form with Princess Sinead (two places in front of Teolane at Naas) when dropping back to six furlongs to easily land a Listed event at Leopardstown less than a fortnight ago. That strong performance announced her as the smartest Irish filly of her age at this stage of the season and she has a clear chance to advance her profile today.
Coolcullen through and through, the daughter of the trainer’s former Dewhurst and National Stakes winner Teofilo and his multiple winner Masnada looks like she’ll really excel when stepping up in trip but the softening underfoot conditions should help to bring her stamina into play.
Her dam, Masnada, recorded most of her nine victories on rain-soaked ground and there’s no reason to expect it will inconvenience Teolane in any way. Although it’s still a tough task for a juvenile, everything looks to be in her favour and she is going to be very, very difficult to beat.
Perhaps the biggest threat to Teolane will come from the Tom Dascombe-trained Switcher, who should improve for a step up in trip but as a daughter of Whipper should enjoy underfoot conditions.
The Kevin Ryan-trained Inetrobil entered many notebooks as a potentially very smart sort when making a successful debut at Redcar at the end of last month. She’s quite an imposing sort who should make her mark at this level but, at this stage of her career, she might struggle to deal with Teolane.
Sweet Chilli was in front of subsequent Listed race winner Pyman’s Theory when running on late to finish fourth in a York Listed race over five furlongs. The extra furlong here should play to her strengths and, given that she’s one of the more experienced fillies, she has place claims.
Of course a big field of unexposed fillies poses a huge threat but Teloane looks an exceptional sort with the pedigree and profile to cope with conditions however they turn up. The Bolger team took time to get going this season but it’s firing on all cylinders now and this potential Classic filly for 2012 can take a step towards that ultimate goal by giving connections another Royal Ascot success.
