'We think she's very smart' - find out who is excited about his unbeaten filly

Sunday: 2.45 Naas
Coolmore Stud Irish EBF Fillies Sprint Stakes (Group 3) | 6f | 2yo | RTE1/RTV

This is often a stepping stone to stardom with subsequent Classic winners Alpha Centauri and Sky Lantern on the roll of honour in the last decade.

There was a 50-1 shock in the race last year when newcomer Hermana Estrella made a winning debut for Fozzy Stack and Chris Hayes, but all seven runners this year have already shown a decent level of ability so nothing will be allowed to go off at such generous odds.

The likely favourite is Meditate, a daughter of No Nay Never who cost €360,000 as a yearling. She made an instant impression on her debut when storming away to win a 5f fillies' maiden at the Curragh by three and a quarter lengths, but the third, fourth and fifth there have all been well beaten since, and the runner-up was reluctant to race in the opening furlong.

Still, it was hard not to be impressed by the manner of victory.

Matilda Picotte is rapid. She was all about speed when making every yard in her maiden at the Curragh where she had most of the field in trouble by halfway. She was two lengths too good for Comhra there, and that Jim Bolger-trained filly has since won a 7½f maiden at Roscommon by a very wide maiden. The pair renew rivalry here.

Jessica Harrington: runs It's Showtime BabyCredit: Edward Whitaker

Jessica Harrington has won two of the last four runnings of this Group 3, and she relies on It's Showtime Baby in her attempt to enhance that fine record.

The Showcasing filly touched a high of 10-1 in running on Betfair at Dundalk but got the hang of things late and won going away by a length and a quarter. The further she went the better she looked that day, so the extra furlong here should suit.

Treasure Trove remains a maiden but that only tells half the story. She has bumped into a pair of above-average Ballydoyle colts in her two racecourse appearances, and the way she hit the line in a Listed event over 5f at the Curragh this month suggests this longer trip will be right up her street.

This is a fascinating affair, and it is worth remembering that last year's runner-up Quick Suzy went on to land the Queen Mary at Royal Ascot for Gavin Cromwell.

What they say

Jessica Harrington, trainer of It's Showtime Baby
She was very good at Dundalk and is a filly we've always liked. She's grown since you last saw her and this will tell us where we stand. It looks a very hot race.

Kieran Cotter, trainer of Matilda Picotte
She's been very well since she won at the Curragh and we were delighted with the way she came out of the race. We had never really tested her before she went to the Curragh so it was great to see she had plenty in reserve. We think she's very smart and we'll find out just how smart she is here. She's very straightforward and has loads of pace.

Aidan O'Brien, trainer of Meditate
She was impressive on her debut at the Curragh. She had a little stone bruise soon after that, but she’s back in great shape now.

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