Play it again Billy! Lee notches Guineas-day treble with Epona the highlight
Billy Lee is not one for outpourings of emotion, so when he punched the air after securing a Guineas-day treble aboard Verhoyen in the big sprint handicap, you knew exactly how much it meant to him.
The day started with a bang for Lee when he booted home what looks a Royal Ascot-bound two-year-old in Pinar Del Rio. More about that later because it was Willie McCreery’s Epona Plays who shone brightest for the rider when she made all in the Group 2 Lanwades Stud Stakes.
“She just got into a lovely rhythm there,” McCreery said in the cool Kildare air. “I was a bit nervous yesterday morning when I saw the lads walking the track but the Curragh is the most drying plain in the country, so I never had any worry that it wasn't going to be run.”
Pinar Del Rio’s trainer Paddy Twomey could be looking towards Royal Ascot for his promising colt.
He said: "He's showing a lot of class and he has to step up now; whether that's running back here or going to the UK, I don't know. He's done it well and I think he'll have no bother getting further in time. I was very happy he did that as well as he did."
The treble was completed when Lee took the sprint handicap aboard Verhoyen for another long-time ally in Michael Grassick.
The winning trainer said: “It was over at halfway. I think the draw was a huge help. He has had a few niggly problems but he ran well at Naas after a long layoff and he came on a lot for that.”
Gustavus up to the test
The bleaker the forecast, the better for Gustavus Weston, who once again proved highly effective on testing ground when bagging the Group 2 Greenlands Stakes.
It wasn't a complete surprise as Gustavus Weston attracted each-way support before the off, and he came with a late rattle under Gary Carroll to provide Joe Murphy with his biggest win as a trainer.
Murphy said: "That was his Derby. He won here before and we always thought he liked the Curragh. We thought he needed the race last week and that put him dead on for this one.
"He won well and I'm delighted with the way Gary rode him. It was a good result.”
He added: “I'd have been happy with a place – we're not greedy! He got him switched off, which helped as he's inclined to be a bit strong. That was the key to him.”
Read more Saturday reports . . .
Mac Swiney edges out Poetic Flare in centenary epic as Bolger saddles one-two
David Jennings: irrepressible Bolger does it his way again to land first Irish 2,000 Guineas
Expert Jury: 'this was a serious performance and Mac Swiney is bred for Derby test'
'He's class but nobody seems to realise it' – 33-1 Rohaan defies the odds again in Sandy Lane
Liberty Beach back with a bang in Temple to set up Royal Ascot assault
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