Rizeena beats Kiyoshi and Tapestry in the Moyglare© Photo Healy Racing
There seems little doubt that we witnessed three very classy fillies fight out the finish of a messy Group 1 Moyglare Stud Stakes as Rizeena (now about an 8/1 chance for next year's Guineas) under James Doyle beat Kiyoshi and Tapestry at the Curragh.
Doyle, successful here in May in the Group 1 Tattersalls Gold Cup on Al Kazeem and recently appointed as the retained rider for Prince Khalid Abdulla, avoided the trouble caused by favourite Kiyoshi (her rider Jamie Spencer got a 4-day ban for careless riding).
That one went into overdrive from the two furlong pole but she soon hampered Tapestry and then 'did' another Ballydoyle runner in Wonderfully under a furlong out when shifting right towards the rail.
Rizeena meanwhile flew down the outer and eventually prevailed by three parts of a length from Kiyoshi with Tapestry a head adrift in third. The placings of Kiyoshi and Tapestry were reversed after a steward's enquiry.
Winning trainer Clive Brittain said of Rizeena, the Queen Mary Stakes heroine and Prix Morny third: "I had no doubt about her getting the seven. I don't want to take anything away from the horses that have beaten her before but at Deauville she was taken out of her stride after she jumped off.
"She's a big filly and needs to get into a rhythm.
"Ryan (Moore) gave her a chance to get back into her rhythm and once she did she was flying.
"I wouldn't say she'd have beaten the winner (No Nay Never) but we'll take him on again any day over six or seven.
"I couldn't understand when I saw 7/1 about her. The other filly (Kiyoshi) won at Ascot but we've come out and been competitive twice since.
"At Newmarket it was far too fast for her down the hill and she was lugging. She's never lugged in her life so she was obviously uncomfortable.
"I knew they'd go a good pace today and credit to them, there was some good fillies in the race but we were exceptionally good.
"I've trained some top fillies like Sayyedati, User Friendly and Pebbles but she may not be far behind them.
"She's developed really well over the year and I'd be very surprised if she didn't make a three-year-old given her temperament.
"I'll talk to the owner (Cheik Rd Al Maktoum) and we'll look at the Cheveley Park, the Boussac and the fillies mile."
The Stewards enquired into three instances of possible interference in the straight. The first instance involving Kiyoshi (GB), ridden by J P Spencer, placed second, and Tapestry, ridden by J P O’Brien, placed third. The second instance involving Perhaps ridden by J A Heffernan, placed fifth, Wonderfully, ridden by Ryan Moore, placed sixth, and Kiyoshi (GB), ridden by J P Spencer, placed second. The third instance involving Kiyoshi (GB), ridden by J P Spencer, placed second, Rizeena, winner, ridden by James Doyle and Tapestry, placed third, ridden by J P O’Brien. Evidence was heard from the riders concerned. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards were satisfied that Kiyoshi (GB), placed second, had improved its placing in relation to Tapestry, placed third, and therefore reversed those placings.
Furthermore the Stewards were of the opinion that J P Spencer was in breach of Rule 214 in that he had ridden carelessly and having taken his record into account suspended him for four race days.
(GC & EM)
