'We have to try to win a Group 1 now' - Twomey aims high as Pearls Galore shines

Sunday: Curragh

Pearls Galore made a Group 2 breakthrough in the Lanwades Stud Stakes in a manner that was a cross between cosy and workmanlike.

Billy Lee never really looked to be in a moment's trouble on the daughter of Invincible Spirit as she travelled strongly to the front over a furlong out. She thought she had enough done at that point and runner-up Emphatic Answer kept her honest as she rallied strongly, but the winner's class came through as she won going away by a neck.

Trainer Paddy Twomey is now plotting a campaign for success at Group 1 level with the Breeders' Cup mentioned as an end-of-season target.

Result and replay of the Lanwades Stud Stakes

He said: "She's a tough filly and is improving all the time. We don't do much with her at home. She just canters every day and does very little fast work, on the track she does what she has to do. She has won her Group 2 now and we have to go and try to win a Group 1."

He added: "The fillies' races during the summer will be her targets, races like the Falmouth Stakes, the Prix Rothschild at Deauville and the Matron Stakes.

"We might take on the colts later in the year, building up to the Breeders' Cup Mile. I'd like to stay close to home and try the European Group 1s first."

Keane treble

Colin Keane was certainly the rider in form as he recorded a 314-1 treble. The nicest of them will probably turn out to be Zarinsk, a second juvenile newcomer to win over the weekend for Ger Lyons.

The daughter of Kodiac was forced to make the running, but she showed a very good attitude to see off the challenges of fellow debutants Olivia Maralda and Never Ending Story.

Lyons said: "She’s a lovely, honest filly but she hasn’t come in her coat. She had to do it the hard way, which I don’t like doing, but when Colin is riding them he has free rein to do what he wants."

Zarinsk: impressive winner under Colin KeaneCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

He added: "What she's learned from it we won’t know, because she had to do it all on her own, but she hit the line strong. I can see buckets of improvement because she's still very much a work in progress."

Lyons and Keane completed a double in the first two races when Pirate Jenny was successful in the 6f fillies' handicap. She scored by three-quarters of a length from the more experienced Beautiful Sunshine.

Notable winner

A winner on a Classic weekend is never a bad place to advertise training prowess, and Sarah Lynam managed that when the tough Additional prevailed in the 6f premier handicap to complete the Keane treble.

"I’m delighted as it’s the biggest race I’ve won and it’s great for the owner, my uncle John, who's been very supportive," said Lynam.

Results, replays and analysis

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