The 7f Group 1 Moyglare Stud Stakes reliably produces an excellent filly and last year’s winner Tahiyra backed up her juvenile promise with Classic success as a three-year-old.
Aidan O'Brien could hold the aces in both the Moyglare Stud Stakes and the National Stakes at the Curragh on Sunday, with Ylang Ylang heading the market for the fillies' contest. Out of a half-sister to Hong Kong's multiple Group 1 winner Viva Pataca, Ylang Ylang made all for a comfortable two-and-three-quarter length success over course and distance on debut. The filly was heavily backed on her subsequent start in the Group 3 Silver Flash Stakes at Leopardstown and justified market support with an easy victory over the re-opposing Vespertilio.
After the race, O'Brien said: "We're delighted and Ryan was very happy with her, he said she ran straight through the line. He said he felt that the ground was a little bit deep for her, she's a very low mover, but he was very happy with her.
"She's very genuine, tries very hard and wears her heart on her sleeve. Natural is a good way to describe her."
The form of the Silver Flash Stakes was given a significant boost when Vespertilio won the Group 2 Debutante Stakes over course and distance on her next start. The victory marked a maiden win for the Willie McCreery-trained filly, who appeared to have learnt plenty on her previous two runs. She was held up at the rear of the field before being allowed to make up ground with two furlongs to run, drawing away comfortable to beat Ger Lyons' Sakti by one-and-three-quarter lengths. Vespertilio has clearly improved and she is expected to get significantly closer to Ylang Ylang.
Porta Fortuna took on the boys in the Group 1 Phoenix Stakes and could be underestimated returning to a fillies-only contest. She broke through at Group level when scoring by a length at Royal Ascot in the Group 3 Albany Stakes and produced an excellent performance in defeat when chasing home Bucanero Fuerte in the Phoenix Stakes. Although she was unable to make an impact on the winner, the daughter of Caravaggio was comfortable clear of the third-placed Givemethebeatboys, who runs in the Group 1 National Stakes.
In a post race interview, trainer Joseph O'Brien said: "She ran really well and we were delighted with her. I think she has plenty of speed, so I think six or seven furlongs won't be a problem either way and she's open to either.
"The winner looked a good horse and to go against the colts isn't easy but she ran really well."
Jockey Danny Tudhope had similar positive comments to say about his ride Fallen Angel, after her comfortable victory in the seven-furlong Group 3 Sweet Solera Stakes at Newmarket's July course. She travelled strongly throughout the race and easily beat Soprano by three-lengths, who subsequently placed third in a Listed contest at Salisbury on Thursday.
"It was very impressive," Tudhope told Racing TV post-race.
"This filly stays this trip well, she wants a mile now and she may even get 10 furlongs in time. The further she went today the better – she powered clear up the hill.
"She's just a classy filly who goes on all types of ground and she's got a great mind on her. She tries, she's game, she's just a very likeable filly."
Of the remainder in the field, the experienced Pearls and Rubies is capable of bouncing back for Aidan O'Brien after a disappointing run in the Group 2 Debutante Stakes. She finished second in the Listed Chesham Stakes against the boys at Royal Ascot and her current price of 50/1 is probably not a true reflection of the filly's ability.
WIN: VESPERTILIO
PLACE: PEARLS AND RUBIES
