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Alan Magee

Alan Magee

Enterprising Weld scores again with Eziyra

Sat 9th Sep 2017, 18:09

Eziyra and Pat Smullen land the KPMG Enterprise StakesEziyra and Pat Smullen land the KPMG Enterprise Stakes
© Photo Healy Racing

Dermot Weld and Pat Smullen teamed up to take the KPMG Enterprise Stakes for the fourth successive year as Eziyra proved a gutsy winner of the Group 3 at Leopardstown.

The Aga Khan's Teofilo filly needed to dig deep in the straight after Spanish Steps had stretched a couple of lengths clear well over a furlong out.

The 9/10 favourite led well inside the final furlong to beat Exemplar by three quarters of a length, with Glamorous Approach just a short-head back in third.

Weld said, “She’s tough genuine and game. She’s just a very good filly, and ran a very good race in the Irish Oaks. Enable beat her fair and square but I think she’s progressed and improved since then.

“She won the Group race in Cork nicely and you must remember she won over seven furlongs at Group level as a two-year-old as well. She’s a stayer with speed.

“Interestingly Pat felt she would handle faster ground, good to firm would not be a problem.

“I’d say she'll go for the Group 1 Fillies and Mares on Champions weekend. I won it a few years ago and this is a similar sort of filly. She’d be very capable of representing us very well.

“She’ll also be in the Prix De Royaillieu on Arc weekend but I’d say we’re more likely to go for the Group 1.”

Betfair make Eziyra a 16/1 chance for the Qipco Fillies & Mares, while Boylesports go just 10/1 (from 14/1).

1st
9/10Fav
Tote €1.50 €1.02
2nd
0.75L
14/1
€3.60
4th
shd
10/1
About Alan Magee
Alan has worked in the racing industry for well over 30 years including with the Sporting Life, Turform and Irish Racing Services. He took up his current role as Irish Racing Team Leader with the Press Association in 2013. He has a keen interest in most sports and plays golf.