By Sean Cronin
Craig Bernick and John Camilleri's 3-year-old filly Sounds Of Heaven (GB) (Kingman {GB}–Ring The Bell {Ire}, by Galileo {Ire}) did not have the benefit of an early-season outing heading into Friday's Listed Oaks Farm Stables Fillies' S. at York, but that was of little consequence as she found plentiful reserves at the business end of a thrilling renewal to emerge with a career high.
The Jessica Harrington trainee shaped with promise when posting a debut fourth at Gowran Park in September and shed maiden status going one mile at Leopardstown the following month when last seen. Sounds Of Heaven was swiftly into stride and found a smooth rhythm in second through halfway. Racing on the bridle for much of the long straight, the 14-1 chance was nudged to the fore approaching the final furlong and was driven out in the latter stages to deny 'TDN Rising Star' Queen For You (Ire) (Kingman {GB}) by a short-head in a three-way photograph. Godolphin's Silver Lady (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) played her part in a pulsating finale and finished a neck further adrift in third.
“That was brilliant and I fancied her, but we just hadn't been able to get a run into her because of the ground,” the trainer explained. “We knew she wanted nice ground, so we've waited with her and it's paid off. The race wasn't run to suit because they didn't go very quick, but she was lovely and relaxed. I told Ronan [Whelan] to keep it simple and he did. She made her debut on soft ground, but won next time on better ground. Her Leopardstown form had worked out well as the second [Boogie Woogie] ran well in a Group 1 in France. She's in the [G1] Irish [1000] Guineas as well as the [G1] Coronation S., so we'll just wait and see what we do. She's a gorgeous filly with a lovely temperament.”
Sounds Of Heaven was produced by a daughter of G2 Prix du Gros-Chene victrix Beauty Is Truth (Ire) (Pivotal {GB}), herself the dam of four pattern-race winners headed by G1 1000 Guineas and G1 Irish 1000 Guineas heroine Hermosa (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), G1 British Champions Fillies & Mares S. and G1 Matron S. victrix Hydrangea (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and G1 Ranvet S. winner The United States (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). The February-foaled bay is a half-sister to the dual stakes-placed Voice Of Angels (GB) (Dark Angel {Ire}) and a 2-year-old colt by Dubawi (Ire).
Friday, York, Britain
OAKS FARM STABLES FILLIES' S. (MICHAEL SEELY MEMORIAL FILLIES' S.)-Listed, £70,000, York, 5-19, 3yo, f, 7f 192yT, 1:37.50, g/f.
1–SOUNDS OF HEAVEN (GB), 128, f, 3, by Kingman (GB)
1st Dam: Ring The Bell (Ire), by Galileo (Ire)
2nd Dam: Beauty Is Truth (Ire), by Pivotal (GB)
3rd Dam: Zelding (Ire), by Warning (GB)
1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN. (650,000gns Ylg '21 TATOCT). O-Craig Bernick & John Camilleri; B-Fairway Thoroughbreds Pty Ltd (GB); T-Jessica Harrington; J-Ronan Whelan. £39,697. Lifetime Record: 3-2-0-0, $59,083. *1/2 to Voice Of Angels (GB) (Dark Angel {Ire}), MSP-Ire.
2–Queen For You (Ire), 128, f, 3, Kingman (GB)–Fallen For You (GB), by Dansili (GB). 1ST BLACK TYPE. O/B-Normandie Stud Ltd (IRE); T-John & Thady Gosden. £15,050.
3–Silver Lady (GB), 128, f, 3, Sea The Stars (Ire)–Lumiere (GB), by Shamardal. 1ST BLACK TYPE. O/B-Godolphin (GB); T-Charlie Appleby. £7,532.
Margins: SHD, NK, 2HF. Odds: 14.00, 4.00, 2.00.
Also Ran: Fakhama (Ire), Clochette (Ire), Stormy Sea (GB), Glenlaurel (Ire), Juliet Sierra (GB).
🇮🇪 Winner for the Ireland in the @OaksFarmStables Fillies Stakes!
Sounds Of Heaven (Kingman) is beautifully-bred and prevails in a thrilling three-way finish for @WhelanRonan and @Jessica_Racing at @yorkracecourse pic.twitter.com/nfYtQ9NdQ0
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) May 19, 2023
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