By Tom Frary
Back at the Leopardstown venue at which he had won the G3 Killavullan S. in October, Jim Bolger's homebred Poetic Flare (Ire) (Dawn Approach {Ire}) proved best in Sunday's Listed Ballylinch Stud “Red Rocks” 2000 Guineas Trial S. Sent off the 3-1 second favourite, the bay was quickly in an ideal spot in second under Kevin Manning and when committed approaching the furlong pole gave generously to score by 1 1/2 lengths from Ace Aussie (Ire) (Australia {GB}), with Monaasib (GB) (Bobby's Kitten) a short head away in third. “He is a very uncomplicated horse who is very switched off and goes up through the gears nice,” his rider commented. “He only does what he is asked to do and is one of those you enjoy riding–he can do it from anywhere. I think he'll benefit even more when he steps up another furlong. There were plenty in there that were well-fancied and it read like a proper trial.”
Poetic Flare, who was off the mark on day one of the 2020 Irish turf flat season at Naas last March, was remarkably next seen taking part in the G1 Dewhurst S. at Newmarket off a near seven-month absence and fared respectably when 10th appearing to tire late on. A week later, he was here for the Killavullan putting 2 1/2 lengths between him and the smart filly Zaffy's Pride (Ire) (Pride of Dubai {Aus}) who would run so well to be fourth in the G3 1000 Guineas Trial 30 minutes later. Bolger has a strong hand in the Guineas with the G1 Futurity Trophy winner Mac Swiney (Ire) (New Approach {Ire}) also in the mix and his daughter Una Manning had some news on that matter. “I'm told he could go anywhere. He hasn't decided which of the Guineas, he'll go to Newmarket or the Curragh but the two of them won't run in the same race,” she said. “He hasn't been away anywhere this year for a gallop, so he's absolutely delighted. We were confident he wouldn't have any problems handling the ground. Last year we just had to play the cards we were dealt and he had to run on soft ground, but he's not ground-dependent.”
Poetic Flare is out of Maria Lee (Ire) (Rock of Gibraltar {Ire}), whose dual listed-winning filly Glamorous Approach (Ire) is by Dawn Approach's sire New Approach. She is a full-sister to Bring Back Matron (Ire), who in turn produced the Listed Eyrefield S. winner Dubai Sand (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}) and hails from the family of the Listed Derrinstown Stud 1000 Guineas Trial S. winner Speirbhean (Ire) (Danehill). She achieved fame by producing the aforementioned champion and successful sire Teofilo and the G2 Cape Verdi scorer Poetic Charm (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}). Maria Lee's 2-year-old Frazil (Ire) is a full-brother to Poetic Flare, while she also has a yearling filly by U S Navy Flag.
BALLYLINCH STUD RED ROCKS 2,000 GUINEAS TRIAL S.-Listed, €42,500, Leopardstown, 4-11, 3yo, c/g, 7fT, 1:28.02, gd.
1–POETIC FLARE (IRE), 131, c, 3, by Dawn Approach (Ire)
1st Dam: Maria Lee (Ire), by Rock of Gibraltar (Ire)
2nd Dam: Elida (Ire), by Royal Academy
3rd Dam: Saviour, by Majestic Light
O-Mrs J. S. Bolger; B/T-Jim Bolger (IRE); J-Kevin Manning. €25,500. Lifetime Record: GSW-Ire, 4-3-0-0, $75,333. *1/2 to Glamorous Approach (Ire) (New Approach {Ire}), SW-Eng, SW & MGSP-Ire, $224,182.
2–Ace Aussie (Ire), 131, c, 3, Australia (GB)–Queenscliff (Ire), by Danehill Dancer (Ire). (€125,000 Ylg '19 GOFOR). O-Zhang Yuesheng; B-Longfield Stud (IRE); T-Jessica Harrington. €8,500.
3–Monaasib (GB), 131, c, 3, Bobby's Kitten–Mullein (GB), by Oasis Dream (GB). (£65,000 Ylg '19 GOFFPR). O-Shadwell Estate Company Ltd; B-Landmark Racing Limited (GB); T-Kevin Prendergast. €4,250.
Margins: 1HF, NO, 1. Odds: 3.00, 18.00, 5.50.
Also Ran: Notre Belle Bete (GB), Laws of Indices (Ire), Magnanimous (Ire), Horoscope (Ire), Charterhouse (GB), Matchless (Ire), Merchants Quay (Fr), Snapraeterea (Ire), A Case of You (Ire). Click for the Racing Post result.
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