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'She's worth her place in the Arc' - in-form Billy Lee sweet on La Petite Coco

Paddy Twomey, Billy Lee and Anna Barlow with La Petite Coco after winning the Group 1 Alwasmiyah Pretty Polly Stakes
Paddy Twomey, Billy Lee and Anna Barlow with La Petite Coco after winning the Group 1 Alwasmiyah Pretty Polly StakesCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Red-hot rider Billy Lee insists talk of an Arc bid for La Petite Coco is far from fanciful after her Group 1 breakthrough in the Pretty Polly Stakes and is adamant the best is yet to come from Paddy Twomey's star filly.

Victory in the Alwasmiyah-backed feature continued a spectacular start to the season for Lee, whose four winners over Irish Derby weekend saw him sprint four clear of Colin Keane in the Irish Flat jockeys' championship.

Twomey has lofty ambitions for La Petite Coco. The trainer mentioned the Yorkshire Oaks, Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe and British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes as likely targets, as well as possible trips to the Breeders' Cup and Hong Kong later in the year.

Lee believes the Arc could prove ideal for Team Valor's four-year-old, priced between 16-1 and 20-1 for the Arc.

"You couldn't dissuade them from having a go at that type of company," said Lee, now a three-time Group 1-winning rider.

La Petite Coco ridden by Billy Lee winning the Group 1 Pretty Polly StakesThe CurraghPhoto: Patrick McCann/Racing Post26.06.2022
La Petite Coco: made the breakthrough at Group 1 level in the Alwasmiyah Pretty Polly StakesCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

"Paddy mentioned the Arc and it's not pie-in-the-sky stuff. If she turned up in an Arc she'd be worth her place in the race.

"We've seen fillies win the race, and a mile and a half on slow ground is probably her ideal set of conditions."

Lee added: "She was brilliant at the Curragh. It was her first run of the year and I knew fitness wasn't going to be a problem, although you always wonder whether they might be a bit rusty.

"I think she'll improve a bit from Sunday – that wasn't her peak performance. You'd be hoping with a step up in trip you'd see improvement."

Sunday's success was also a landmark moment for Twomey, who continued his impressive rise through the training ranks with a first Group 1 triumph.

Lee paid tribute to the 43-year-old trainer's attention to detail in establishing himself as one of the shrewdest handlers around.

"It meant a lot for Paddy to win his first Group 1 because he's ambitious," said Lee. "He leaves no stone unturned and has completed the hard yards to get to where he is.
Billy Lee (right) on Paddy Twomey (centre): 'He leaves no stone unturned and has completed the hard yards to get to where he is'
Billy Lee (right) on Paddy Twomey (centre): 'He leaves no stone unturned and has completed the hard yards to get to where he is'Credit: Caroline Norris (racingpost.com/photos)

"People might think this has happened in a short space of time but Paddy has probably been thinking of this for the past ten years.

"He looks at things sensibly. He's always thinking, but he can back it up too."

Despite his position atop the Irish jockeys' standings after three months of action, Lee is not letting any title talk affect his way of thinking or riding.

Next month marks the halfway stage of the season and, barring injury or suspension, he looks certain to beat his previous best tally of 57 in 2019. He is already on 46 winners for the season.

Lee said: "My four winners over the weekend were for my three main men [Paddy Twomey, Willie McCreery and Ken Condon] – it's lovely when the yards are in good form and hopefully we can continue that.

Billy Lee (right): leads the Irish Flat jockeys' championship on 46 winners
Billy Lee (right): leads the Irish Flat jockeys' championship on 46 winnersCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

"I'm delighted with the way the season is going, but whatever happens, happens. I'm going to try to keep riding to my best, with confidence in what I'm doing at the moment.

"If it comes my way, it comes my way, but I won't be changing my style or anything."

On Irish Derby third French Claim, Lee added: "We were very pleased with him. If the race had been run on the same slower ground as Sunday for La Petite Coco, he might have been second.

"He was just feeling the ground up the straight and hung a little bit, but it was a brave run. He's got a future, maybe as a stayer. He could be a lovely horse next year too."


Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (October 2, Longchamp)

bet365: 5-2 Desert Crown, 6 Vadeni, 8 Westover, Emily Upjohn, 12 Hurricane Lane, Titleholder, 14 Inspiral, 16 Tuesday, Bay Bridge, 20 bar


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Mark BoylanReporter

Published on 27 June 2022inNews

Last updated 11:02, 28 June 2022

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