By Tom Frary
Unbeaten entering Sunday's G3 Ballylinch Stud “Priory Belle” S. at Leopardstown, A Lilac Rolla (Ire) (Harry Angel {Ire}–Mejala {Ire}, by Red Ransom) carried on where she left off with a battling success from Kitty Rose (GB) (Invincible Army {Ire}). Last seen beating the subsequent G1 Prix Marcel Boussac heroine Opera Singer (Justify) at The Curragh in August, the Paddy Twomey-trained €40,000 Tatts Ireland September bargain was delivered to tackle Kitty Rose at the furlong pole and gave generously to Billy Lee to eke out a head success at odds of 9-2. Ballydoyle's Buttons (Ire) (Kingman {GB}) was a further 2 3/4 lengths away in third.
“I think she's a good filly and I'd hoped she would do something like that,” Twomey said. “I haven't run her since she won the second time last year as she just grew and I wanted to give her the time. I'm glad I did and she's trained well all winter. I was looking forward to coming here today, although the heavy ground was a concern as her form was on good ground. She's uncomplicated and she's tough.”
Pedigree Notes
The dam Mejala, who was a 12,000gns Shadwell cast-off at 2020 Tatts December, has produced the dual listed-placed Mutaaqeb (GB) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}). From the family of the sires Bahri and Bahhare which includes the dual G1 Jebel Hatta winner Alfareeq (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) and the G3 Prix Noailles scorer Raseed (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), her 2-year-old filly is by Shaman (Ire).
3⃣ out of 3⃣ 👊
A Lilac Rolla makes it three wins from as many starts by grinding out victory in the Group 3 "Priory Belle" Stakes on return.
It looked hard work but she is tough!@paddytwomey | @wjlee24786 | @BallylinchStud pic.twitter.com/4Lxm85grOj
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) April 7, 2024
Sunday, Leopardstown, Ireland
BALLYLINCH STUD PRIORY BELLE 1000 GUINEAS TRIAL S.-G3, €55,000, Leopardstown, 4-7, 3yo, f, 7f 18yT, 1:40.89, hy.
1–A LILAC ROLLA (IRE), 128, f, 3, by Harry Angel (Ire)
1st Dam: Mejala (Ire), by Red Ransom
2nd Dam: Wissal, by Woodman
3rd Dam: Wasnah, by Nijinsky II
1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN; 1ST GROUP WIN. (€40,000 Ylg '22 TATIRY). O-Mutual Admiration Society Partnership; B-John Cullinan (IRE); T-Paddy Twomey; J-Billy Lee. €33,000. Lifetime Record: 3-3-0-0, $69,398. *1/2 to Mutaaqeb (GB) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}), MSP-Eng. Werk Nick Rating: B+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Kitty Rose (GB), 128, f, 3, Invincible Army (Ire)–Varnish (GB), by Choisir (Aus). (20,000gns Ylg '22 TATOCT). O-Tim Porter; B-Carmel Stud (GB); T-Natalia Lupini. €11,000.
3–Buttons (Ire), 128, f, 3, Kingman (GB)–Wonder of Wonders, by Kingmambo. 1ST BLACK TYPE; 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. O-Westerberg, Mrs John Magnier, Michael Tabor & Derrick Smith; B-Wonder Of Wonders Syndicate (IRE); T-Aidan O'Brien. €5,500.
Margins: HD, 2 3/4, HF. Odds: 4.50, 4.00, 3.50.
Also Ran: Greenfinch, Alpheratz (Ire), Wendla (GB), Cherry Blossom (Ire), Mysteries (Ire), Money Dancer (Ire), Finsceal Luas (Ire), Sweetest (Ire). Scratched: Lexington Belle (Ire).
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