Chantez pounces late to secure shock win in Naas
Chantez and Gary Carroll (left) win for trainer Ger Lyons. Pic: Healy Racing.
The Ger Lyons-trained Chantez pounced late under Gary Carroll to prove a shock winner of the Group 3 Tally-Ho Stud Irish EBF Ballyogan Stakes in Naas.
Recording her first win in almost two years (since winning the ‘Ingabelle’ at Leopardstown as a two-year-old), the 28/1 shot challenged late along the stands rail to get the better of British challenger and course and distance winner Soul Love, with Dancing Saxon third.
P J Colville representing winning owners Newtown Anner Stud Farm, admitted; “It’s great – this could have been her last run but, after this, she’ll probably keep going.
“She was running well, without really sparking, over longer trips and we decided to throw the dice and bring her back to six the last day (fourth to Soul Love) - and the blinkers help.
“She looked sharper today and the stiff six furlongs, up the hill, suited her and she just needs to get into the rhythm of sprinting. I’ll talk to Ger and Maurice (owner Maurice Regan) and make a plan.”
Trainer Sheila Lavery savoured a welcome success, her first of the season, when Maeda Matsu, a 100/1 shot when runner-up to Livenka in the valuable Ballyhane Stakes on her debut, stepped-up to land the seven-furlong Irish EBF Median Sires Series 2-Y-0 Maiden, beating Star Glory and favourite Silver Kiss.
Ridden by Rory Cleary, the Dubawi Legend filly sent off at 7/1, appreciated the step-up to seven furlongs and will now be aimed at the listed Ingaballe Stakes at Leopardstown next month.
“It’s pure relief,” declared Lavery. “It’s our first of the season. We’ve had a few calls for her, but John is happy to hold on to her, which is great. The penny is only beginning to drop, and she should be a stunning filly next year.”
The Willie McCreery-trained newcomer Timeless Tale, a daughter of Sioux Nation, ridden by Billy Lee, ran out a hugely impressive, eight-and-a-half lengths winner of the six-furlong Matchbook Exchange Irish EBF 2-Y-0 Fillies Maiden, slamming Film Set.
“I’m delighted to have her, a lovely, big, strong filly, for Tally-Ho,” said McCreery.
“She’s very natural and is a decent filly. She has done everything nicely at home but was never away until today. We’ll look for a suitable stakes race for her – and some juice in the ground will be a help.”
McCreery and Lee doubled-up when 7/2 joint-favourite Steel Magnolia scampered clear to win the Big Evs At Tally-Ho Handicap, over the minimum trip, in great style.
“Amanda and myself bred her and she’s Happy Henry’s little sister, so it’s great both of them have won this season,” said the trainer.
The Irish EBF Auction Series 2-Y-0 Maiden saw uneasy 11/10 favourite Zoar (Chris Hayes) deliver on his first start for Donnacha O’Brien.
The No Nay Never colt, runner-up on his debut for Josh Halley before being acquired by current connections, got home by a length and a quarter from Capital Of Pride.
The winning trainer explained; “He’s a grand horse. The Halleys did a great job with him. I don’t have him long and he’s only done one ‘breeze’ with us. He’s still quite green and pricked his ears. And he’ll have to step into stakes company now.”
A winner over hurdles in Limerick early last month before scoring on the level in Galway, John Nallen’s Minella Rockett completed a hat-trick when staying on dourly, under strong driving from Reese Holohan, to deny Ballydoyle hope Port Of Spain by a neck in thew TRM BIOACTIVE Energy Boost Handicap.
“He’s a tough, honest, little horse,” stated Nallen.
“He keeps improving. He’s still for sale and we have plenty of options – he’ll probably step-up in trip and will go back hurdling at some stage.”
