The grey Thunder Kiss and Colin Keane get the better of Silence Please (no.4) © Photo Healy Racing
The featured Group 3 Munster Oaks went to the Colin Keane-partnered Thunder Kiss (3/1).
Waited with towards the rear, the grey daughter of Night Of Thunder got into contention going well over two furlongs out. Ridden to lead soon after, she saw her race out well to defeat persistent challenger Silence Please (11/2) by three quarters of a length.
Successful in a maiden and a handicap previously, the winner had taken a big jump in the ratings for being second in the Blue Wind Stakes at Naas last month and certainly proved worthy of her revised mark of 100 on this occasion.
Shane Lyons, assistant to winning trainer Ger Lyons, said: "I'm delighted for (owner/breeder) Maurice Regan and all the Newtown Anner team. She has been promising that, has been black-type placed before but getting this win was most important, which we knew she would this season as she has strengthened up big time.
"She is not ground-dependent, has really appreciated stepping up in trip to 1m4f, albeit she ran a cracker over 1m2f last time and we'll have fun in those races.
"She has improved with age and hopefully will improve again next year. She could eventually run in those Cup races but we'll get her home now and make a plan.
"Maurice is a great supporter of ours, has a good band of mares as well so this is most important and is a prestigious race to win."
Quotes from Thomas Weekes
