Truly Enchanting bounces back for brave Airlie triumph
Aidan O’Brien: ‘She was just a bit green and babyish in the Queen Mary.’
Truly Enchanting put a lacklustre Royal Ascot run behind her with victory in the Airlie Stud Stakes at the Curragh. The Aidan O’Brien-trained filly was returning 10 days after coming home 13th in the Queen Mary Stakes in Berkshire, but punters’ enthusiasm was undimmed as she was sent off the 2-1 market leader. Winner of a Tipperary maiden on her first start, Truly Enchanting had to work hard for a second career success as California Dreamer, who finished fifth in the Albany at Ascot eight days ago, went toe to toe from the early stages. A furlong out it was clear the leading duo had the measure of the field and after racing neck and neck through the closing strides, it was Truly Enchanting and Ryan Moore who edged it by half a length, with January a further two and a quarter lengths back in third. The race was run in wet conditions, with the ground officially changed to yielding to soft from good, good to yielding in places after the Group Two contest.“We thought she was a five/six furlong filly who would handle any ease in the ground,” said O’Brien. “Ryan gave her a great ride, she was very green. Conditions suited her. “She took the race in Ascot very well. She was just a bit green and babyish in the Queen Mary. It was kind of a last-minute decision to go five with her. “Because she had won at Tipperary, we said we’d chance it, but when she ran at Tipperary it was soft ground, so she found it a big change on the fast ground. “Ryan gave her a great ride, she’s tough and hardy and we’re delighted with her.
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