Elizabeth Jane shows her class in Leopardstown Listed win

Gary Carson
October 20, 2024 4:19 pm

Dermot Weld: ‘We’ll try and win a Group One with her next year.’

Irish Oaks fourth Elizabeth Jane made the most of an ease in grade with victory in the Thomas’s Of Foxrock “Jim And Kathleen Murphy” Memorial Trigo Stakes at Leopardstown.

A debut winner at this track 12 months ago for trainer Dermot Weld and owners Moyglare Stud Farm, the daughter of Dubawi showed her class when picking up minor honours in Classic company behind Ralph Beckett’s You Got To Me in July.

She was disappointing when beating only one rival in last month’s Blandford Stakes at the Curragh, but bounced back to form in this 10-furlong Listed event, finishing off strongly in the hands of Chris Hayes to score by a length and three-quarters from Layfayette, with Stromberg a close-up third.

BACK in the groove ⬛️⬜️🟥
𝐄𝐥𝐢𝐳𝐚𝐛𝐞𝐭𝐡 𝐉𝐚𝐧𝐞 bounces back from her disappointing Blandford Stakes run to land the Listed Trigo Stakes @LeopardstownRC.@chrishayes24 | @MoyglareStud pic.twitter.com/4UdwK0fwYw
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) October 20, 2024

“She deserved that win, she’s a very talented filly,” said Weld.

“That was only her fourth run of the year, she ran fourth in the Irish Oaks and ran a very good race.

“She had been working nicely and that was what I expected, a very good performance today.

“Things didn’t go right for her in the Blandford on the day but since then she’s been working very well and I was reasonably confident she’d win today.”

Elizabeth Jane with Dermot Weld at Leopardstown (Gary Carson/PA)

When asked if Elizabeth Jane would return next year, the trainer added: “Oh, most definitely. I think a mile and a half will prove to be her best trip.

“I nearly didn’t run her today to wait for the Finale Stakes over a mile and a half, but she had been working nicely, so we rightly decided to come today.

“You’ll find that at Group level, a mile and a half will be no problem next year. We’ll try and win a Group One with her next year over a mile and a half.”

Norwalk Havoc dominated from the front in the Bahrain Turf Club Knockaire Stakes.

Ninth in the Cambridgeshire at Newmarket last month, Jessica Harrington’s charge was a 2-1 favourite to secure Listed honours and his second victory over the course and distance.

Norwalk Havoc claimed Listed honours at Leopardstown (Gary Carson/PA)

Soon bowling along at the head of affairs under Shane Foley, Norwalk Havoc found plenty for pressure from the home turn and passed the post with three and a half lengths in hand over Uncanny.

Kate Harrington, assistant to her mother, said: “We’re delighted with him, he really enjoyed that heavy going.

“He ran a great race in the English Cambridgeshire and was just drawn on the wrong side that day. I think he was only beaten a nose on his side. He just had nothing to take him into the race and he ran with real credit.

“It’s great to get that Listed win before the end of the season. I don’t think there is anything else for him for the rest of the year but he stays in training next year and he’s one to look forward to early doors.”