La Collina takes flight in Phoenix

LONGSHOT La Collina gave veteran Curragh trainer Kevin Prendergast his fourth Keeneland Phoenix Stakes success when swooping late to foil the Aidan O’Brien trained favourite Power in yesterday’s Group 1 feature at the Curragh.

The 33/1 shot, narrowly beaten at Leopardstown last time by O’Brien’s star filly Maybe (winner of the Debutante Stakes earlier on yesterday’s card) encountered traffic problems in a rough race but finished with a flourish and got up close home to triumph by a neck, with Tough As Nails running another solid race in third.

The Declan McDonogh ridden winner, a Strategic Prince filly, carries the colours of Joerg Zasicek, who enjoyed a Moyglare Stud Stakes win with Termagant in 2009.