Ocean Quest and Shane Foley stretch away© Photo Healy Racing
Ocean Quest absolutely blitzed her rivals with an authoritative performance in the Group 3 Ballyogan Stakes over the extended five furlongs in Naas.
Jessica Harrington saddled an earlier winner on the card through Matter Of Fact and commented that she couldn't have been happier with Ocean Quest, who was returning from a break, and so it proved.
She hadn't been out since an excellent fourth in the Group 1 Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot in June and the big sprints in the latter part of the season loom large after this effort.
The 10/11 favourite was quick away from stall two to lead the far side group along the rail. Once Shane Foley shook her up approaching the final furlong, the Sioux Nation three-year-old began to increase the pressure on her rivals.
She moved clear inside the final furlong and powered home by a more than comfortable three and three-quarter lengths. Aussie Girl ran creditably in second at 6/1 and was half a length in front of British-raider Secret Angel (17/2).
"That's great. She hasn't run since Ascot, we gave her time. We know she likes a bit of give in the ground and that's why we put away after Ascot,” said Harrington.
“I think she'll go on anything actually and she's a very classy filly.
“Ascot in October is the main target and she's in at Haydock in the Group 1 sprint there.
“We didn't put her on Irish Champions Weekend because it's five furlongs, but apparently she gets a free entry now. If it came up heavy, maybe.
“This summer we've had no idea what ground we're going to get. You can have good to firm in the morning and abandoned in the afternoon.
“We know she goes on heavy, she's won on heavy and she's gone on good to firm so she's a very versatile filly. She's classy and speedy.”
Paddy Power cut Ocean Quest from 16/1 to 12/1 for the Betfair Sprint Cup in Haydock and from 18/1 to 12/1 for the British Champions Sprint Stakes at Ascot.
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
