Pearls claims deserved Group 1 win in style

Pearls Galore ran her rivals ragged with a brilliant front-running performance in the Group 1 Matron Stakes at Leopardstown.

Billy Lee dictated things from the front on the Paddy Twomey-trained filly and had a willing partner when asking for an effort passing the two pole in the mile race as Saffron Beach pressed.

The daughter of Invincible Spirit started to assert entering the final furlong and stayed on strongly in the closing stages to post a three-length success.

She was turning around form with the runner-up having been fifth behind Saffron Beach in the Prix Rothschild at Deauville last month.

It was a first top level success for Pearls Galore, who had been beaten a neck by No Speak Alexander in this race last year. She went to post a 16/1 shot this afternoon.

5/4 favourite Homeless Songs could only finish fourth on her return to action. She failed to pick up after taking a keen hold in the early stages.

What a performance.

Pearls Galore makes up for last year's heartbreak with commanding success this time in the @coolmorestud 'Justify' Matron Stakes for Billy Lee and @paddytwomey 👏 #LICW22 | @LeopardstownRC | @wjlee24786 pic.twitter.com/0tVYg2mtOq

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) September 10, 2022

Twomey said:- “She was good today. She’s been in good form at home and I said to Billy we’d put the cheek pieces on. She’s five years old and was just doing what she had to do, just going through the motions.

“France didn’t work out the last day and we came home disappointed but not upset. The ground was quick and it was a straight mile.

“This is more her jazz, and ease in the ground and a turn. The best race of her life was this race last year.

“I knew she was in good form and I said to Billy with the cheekpieces on I don’t think we should be taking her back.

“She has got speed and she stays. She has a lot of ability and can go at a high pace and burn off other horses. That’s her true running.

“The aim was to win a Group 1 and she’s after doing it.”

Billy Lee told RTE:- “She's as tough as nails. If ever one deserved a Group 1 it's this one. She has a heart of gold, she tries hard the whole time.

“The last couple of times she's been a little bit disappointing, even when she won the Group 2 on Guineas weekend she was a bit disappointing with me as I thought she'd win better that day and her subsequent runs were the same.

“She was on form today, the application of cheekpieces were a help to her. She winged the gates and I let her bowl along and use her stride.

“She loves this course, I got a little breather before the turn-in and kicked again and she's galloped all the way to the line.

“There were probably one or two things and Paddy has corrected them. He's brought her back to form and easy ground is a big help too.

“I was hopeful of a good run, I thought others would run better today but I'm delighted with this one. She's a star and the owners have been very patient, they kept her in training and got their just desserts.

“I've been lucky to be associated with her and I'm delighted for her.”