By Tom Frary
The Curragh's Staffordstown Stud S. looked a listed race in name only on Sunday and it duly produced a winner who could be destined for the top in Martin Schwartz's Limiti Di Greccio (Ire) (Elzaam {Aus}). Successful in a seven-furlong Leopardstown maiden Aug. 12 and runner-up in the Sept. 11 Listed Ingabelle S. back over that course and distance since joining Paddy Twomey from Andrew Kinsella, the bay raced towards the rear of mid-division early against the rail under Billy Lee. Running into a pocket two out and again at the furlong pole, the cause appeared lost as Tranquil Lady (Ire) (Australia {GB}) and Sunset Shiraz (Ire) (Time Test {GB}) forged on ahead but once angled off the fence produced a rare surge to overhaul that duo with 50 yards remaining. At the line, there was a dominant 1 1/4-length margin to Tranquil Lady, who held on for the silver medal by a short head from Sunset Shiraz who brought leading formlines into the contest having placed in the G1 Moyglare Stud S., G2 Debutante S. and G3 Weld Park S.
“I was concerned turning into the straight and she seemed to meet every bit of trouble she could, but she has a turn of foot,” Twomey said. “She's a filly who does what she has to do and it's great that she won the way she did. She's a smart filly and displayed that to everybody today–we are lucky to have her. Marty had intimated that he'd like to go to France for the group 1 and Del Mar with her, but I managed to talk him out of it. I bypassed the Weld Park, as I didn't want her to have a penalty when she tackles a Guineas trial next year. We won this last year and I wanted to come here as I think it's a perfect stepping stone for the Guineas.”
“I thought the extra furlong would suit her today and the slower ground didn't seem to inconvenience her,” Twomey added. “The owner would very much like to go for the Breeders' Cup, but the trainer is trying to put the brakes on. She is a big filly who is progressive and we've purposely picked her spots with next year in mind. She'll have an entry in both the Guineas here and at Newmarket.”
Limiti di Greccio further advertises the prowess of her Ballyhane Stud-based sire, becoming his sixth black-type winner. Her dam is the unraced Grotta Del Fauno (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) whose immediate family features the Italian listed-placed Abruzzo Nel Cuore (Ire) (La Vie dei Colori {GB}). The family includes the G2 Premio Ribot winner Duca D'Atri (Ire) (Dr Devious {Ire}) and the dual G3 Gran Premio Citta di Napoli winner Guado D'Annibale (Glint of Gold {GB}). Grotta Del Fauno's yearling filly is by Camacho (GB), while she also has a colt foal by Profitable (Ire).
STAFFORDSTOWN STUD S.-Listed, €37,500, Curragh, 10-10, 2yo, f, 8fT, 1:44.72, yl.
1–LIMITI DI GRECCIO (IRE), 128, f, 2, by Elzaam (Aus)
1st Dam: Grotta Del Fauno (Ire), by Galileo (Ire)
2nd Dam: Conca Peligna (GB), by Persian Bold (Ire)
3rd Dam: When Lit (Ire), by Northfields
1ST BLACK TYPE WIN. O-Martin Schwartz; B-Leaf Stud (IRE); T-Paddy Twomey; J-Billy Lee. €22,500. Lifetime Record: 5-2-2-0, $65,711.
2–Tranquil Lady (Ire), 128, f, 2, Australia (GB)–Repose, by Quiet American. (€30,000 RNA Wlg '19 GOFNOV; £160,000 Ylg '20 GOFOR). O-Teme Valley; B-Tinnakill Bloodstock Ltd (IRE); T-Joseph O'Brien. €7,500.
3–Sunset Shiraz (Ire), 128, f, 2, Time Test (GB)–Sunny Again (GB), by Shirocco (Ger). (£100,000 Ylg '20 GOFOR). O-Lindsay Laroche; B-Mount Coote Estates (IRE); T-Gavin Cromwell. €3,750.
Margins: 1 1/4, NO, 5HF. Odds: 1.88, 5.00, 3.00.
Also Ran: Alizarine (GB), Viareggio (Ire), Willesee (GB), Angels Wrath (Ire), Lullaby (Ire), Past Time (GB), Cyclamen (Ire), She's Trouble (Ire). Click for the Racing Post result.
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