John O'Riordan
Juncture easily lands Cooley Fillies' Stakes under Keane
Juncture and Colin Keane win the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Cooley Fillies Stakes Listed
© Photo Healy Racing
Juncture recorded a second Listed win over the mile at Dundalk when running out a commanding winner of the Cooley Fillies' Stakes under champion jockey Colin Keane.
Winner of a similar contest at this track in March, the Ger Lyons trained three-year-old went on to place in Group 3 company on two occasions on the turf. The daughter of Dark Angel appreciated both the slight drop in class and return to an all weather surface here, as she stayed on strongly under Keane.
Equipped with first-time blinkers, the Juddmonte owned winner was held up off the early pace before being delivered with a well timed challenge down the outside of the field.
Soon in command, Juncture went on to win from Voice Of Angels with stablemate Smile Of Love back in third.
“That was lovely. We obviously thought a lot of her and it's all about the ground,” said Lyons.
“I think she's after getting stronger. She's a rock solid Group 3 horse and if we had the blinkers on her in Leopardstown she probably would have won.
“If she stays in training you'd like to think she's going to win her Group 3 but it's all about having top of the ground.
“She obviously loves this place but I think we've run out of road here.
“We were talking about putting her away for the paddocks and you'd like to think that she's a Group 3 or Group 2 horse to justify staying in training. She's a valuable filly.
“I've always thought a lot of her and was possibly a bit disappointed but I was disappointed with a lot of things this year.'
Additional reporting by Gary Carson