Magical Lagoon (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) displayed a willing attitude when annexing last month’s G2 Ribblesdale S. at Royal Ascot and her determination was to the fore again as she refused to yield and battled gamely to a career high in Saturday’s G1 Juddmonte Irish Oaks at the Curragh.
Last term’s G3 Flame of Tara S. victress went off as the 5-4 favourite, in the absence of Epsom’s G1 Oaks exacta Tuesday (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and Emily Upjohn (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), and raced under a firm hold behind the clear leader, Show Of Stars (GB) (Showcasing {GB}), in second.
Inching ever closer from halfway, she cruised to the front on the bridle approaching the final quarter mile (400 metres) and called upon deep reserves under a drive in the closing stages to bravely repel the persistent threat of Toy (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) by a hard-fought 0.5l, with Cairde Go Deo (Fr) (Camelot {GB}) 2.75l further adrift in third.
Yulong is developing a strong record in Oaks’ events, after winning the G1 Australian Oaks with Hungry Heart (Frankel {GB}) and finishing third in the G1 Australasian Oaks with My Whisper (Frankel {GB}).
Jessica Harrington and Shane Foley combined once again with Benitoite (Ire) (Pivotal {GB}), to round out a fantastic day on The Curragh card, claiming the final race of the day and recording a Yulong double.
Article courtesy of Thoroughbred Daily News Australia New Zealand.
