Ladies Church puts daylight between herself and the field© Photo Healy Racing
Ladies Church showed a powerful turn of foot to soon settle the Listed Sole Power Sprint Stakes in Naas.
She raced close to the pace and was angled out to attack Tees Spirit a furlong and a half down. Ben Coen rode her to the front at the furlong pole and the Churchill filly stormed away in the final 150 yards, in first-time cheekpieces, to win by three lengths at 4/1.
The places were occupied by Moss Tucker (3/1) and Lady Tilbury in second and third respectively.
“We think the world of this filly and brought to her Dubai during the winter as she likes fast ground,” said Johnny Murtagh.
“She was second in a Group 2 first time out and I thought she had a real chance on World Cup night. It didn't happen for some reason, she got a bit of a bump out of the stalls. Ben said she was on the bridle but just didn't finish off. I think she was on the wrong side of the track as well.
“Since she's come home, her work has been good. It's hard for three-year-olds to compete in top sprints, she's four now and I was hoping she'd do something like that today.
“We're delighted and I think she deserves her place in the King's Stand.
“Even in her work, she works behind goes to the front and pulls up. I put the cheekpieces on today just to freshen her up and if she did get to the front it might help Ben. She probably didn't need them today, but it was something different to help her.
“Ben said she pulled up in front and as soon as Billy Lee came to her pulling up she went again.
“We think a lot of her and turned down a lot of money for her. It's hard to get Group 1 horses and we think we have one.
“Anyone who has ridden her work always thought she was a high-class filly and could be the real deal. It's a good start to the season, it's a big step up to the next level but five furlongs on fast ground at Ascot is made for her.
“She reminds me a little bit of Sole Power, she's very responsive. She's very relaxed in behind but if you sneeze on her she quickens up really well and does things really quickly.
“There are lots of good horses but the great ones can sit in behind and when you pull them out you just squeeze them and they accelerate.
“It's like putting your foot on the accelerator. Not a lot of them have it, that's why the Group 1 horses are the Group 1 horses.
“It's a great feeling for a jockey and it's not a bad feeling for a trainer as well! I'm pretty happy with that.
“Ben gave her a great ride, he said he was always in control and it was just a matter of when he let her go, and when he let her go she opened up.”
Paddy Power cut Ladies Church from 33/1 to 14/1 for the King's Stand at Royal Ascot.
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
