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Gary Carson

Gary Carson

Lily has classic aspirations after winning return

Sun 24th Mar 2024, 14:27

Purple Lily and Billy Lee Purple Lily and Billy Lee
© Photo Healy Racing

The classic dream remains alive for Purple Lily after she made it two from two on her return to action when claiming the TRM Equine Nutrition Race at Naas.

Paddy Twomey 's charge settled behind the leaders in the mile contest before being asked to take closer order, by Billy Lee, a furlong-and-a-half from home.

The 10/11 favourite got her head in front passing the furlong pole and kept on strongly in the closing stages to post a three-length win over the front-running Portland

Purple Lily had won her sole outing at two, when scoring at the Galway festival.

“She's a nice filly and she wintered well. We just gave her the one run after the breeze-ups last year and she was good.

“I like her, the horses have done loads of cantering but they haven't done much fast work. When you are taking on a 108-rated colt you are asking them a question and she did it well.

“We might look at a Guineas trial and then the Irish Guineas. Newmarket might come a bit quick and I think we'll take our time.”

The Calyx filly has now won twice with plenty of cut but Twomey added:- “That's only what was there the day she ran, I'd say it doesn't matter.

“She's versatile, she has a lovely attitude and is a lovely filly to train. Hopefully we have a good year with her.”

1st
10/11Fav
Tote €1.91 €1.10
2nd
3L
9/4
€1.10
3rd
4.25L
4/1
4th
1.25L
33/1
About Gary Carson
Gary started out as a trainee/assistant journalist with the Sporting Life newspaper and has worked in the racing industry for over 25 years. He has been with the Press Association since 2013 and won the Irish Field Nap Table in 2016. He enjoys working with horses and trained his own horse, Mamaslittlestar, to win a point-to-point in 2019.