Princess on Way to Higher places

There were great reports about Princess Highway prior to her debut back in October. She failed to deliver over the course then, 150 days back, but the daughter of Street Cry proved that the initial 'word' was spot on by landing the opening Irish Stallion Farms European Breeders Fund Fillies Maiden under Pat Smullen at Leopardstown.

The newcomer Betterbetterbetter (easy-to-back) set a good tempo under Joseph O'Brien but from over a quarter of a mile out she looked very vulnerable to Princess Highway (4/1 this morning into 2/1). The latter was asked to go about her business a furlong out by Smullen and she ultimately went on to score by a length and three quarters.

Dermot Weld trains Princess Highway for Moyglare Stud Farm and he said: "She's a nice filly and that was a nice performance. I'd say that was a pretty good maiden – they went a true pace and she quickened up nicely.

"We'll probably go for the Blue Wind Stakes at Naas now, that would be the logical progression and we'll go from there.

"We won the Ribblesdale with her dam (Irresistible Jewel).

"She (Princess Highway) was a bit green and it was horrible ground (when 8th on her debut). She's a top of the ground filly and she's a lovely individual." (GC & EM)