Truly Enchanting has the measure of California Dreamer© Photo Healy Racing
Ryan Moore certainly picked well among Aidan O'Brien's trio of representatives as Truly Enchanting (2/1f) took the honours in the Group 2 Airlie Stud Stakes over six furlongs at the Curragh.
She raced close to pace-setting California Dreamer and the front pair had the race to themselves entering the final furlong.
The leader was definitely game and wasn't going to give it away, however, Truly Enchanting got her head in front in the closing stages and hit the line half a length to the good over the 8/1 runner-up. Truly Enchanting's stablemate, January (6/1), kept on for third.
Aidan O'Brien said: “We thought she was a five/six furlong filly who would handle an ease in the ground.
“Ryan gave her a great ride, she was very green. Conditions suited her.
“She took the race in Ascot very well. She was just a bit green and babyish in the Queen Mary (unplaced). It was kind of a last-minute decision to go five with her.
“Because she had won at Tipperary we said we'd chance (it), but when she ran at Tipperary it was soft ground so she found it a big change on the fast ground.
“Ryan gave her a great ride, she's tough and hardy and we're delighted with her.
“He didn't go until he really had to and he kept cajoling her, he didn't want to get into a bumping match with her.
“He said to change the bit. She's very straightforward at home, but I suppose she was coming up there on the stands' rail by herself.
“She runs in a happy bit, a very soft bit, and it's as soft as you can put on them. He said to put a ring bit in her, it'll help to keep her straight as it keeps the bit very balanced in their mouth.
“She's not really able to catch hold of it when there is a ring on it.
“Some of them are running well, but he horses in the first were a bit disappointing. They found the soft ground a big change and we probably didn't have them prepared for soft ground.
“We were hoping to come here for fast ground and the preparation is usually a bit different when it's soft and we were probably a bit gentle on them. They'll probably improve a lot.
“This filly had the two runs and obviously won on soft ground first time and then went to Ascot so was probably fitter.
“Wayne's filly (Lordan on January) ran a stormer and when she steps up to seven she'll be lovely.”
Paddy Power cut Truly Enchanting from 50/1 to 33/1 for the 1,000 Guineas.
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
