Balantina enters Albany picture with all-the-way Curragh victory

Balantina made her presence felt at the Curragh with a front-running success in the Tally Ho Stud Irish EBF Fillies Maiden.

Trained by Donnacha O’Brien and ridden by Oisin Murphy, the juvenile daughter of Ten Sovereigns lined up as a 6-1 shot having finished fourth in a green run on her racecourse debut.

That experience clearly served her well this time, and having made all of the running she was a smart winner when crossing the line a length ahead of stablemate and 7-4 favourite Cape Sounion to introduce herself as a 12-1 chance with Coral for the Albany Stakes at Royal Ascot.

“They are two nice fillies. At home Cape Sounion would probably work a little bit better, but I think Balantina keeps a bit for herself,” said O’Brien.

“When they finish one-two you probably think you should have split them up, but it’s nice that they ran well anyway.”

Balantina had been a well-supported favourite first time out and O’Brien added: “It certainly wasn’t my money anyway. She worked very nicely up the Curragh here one day and obviously someone saw her, which is why she probably went off favourite.

“I thought she’d run well without fancying her, but obviously she’s learned plenty from that and she’s taken a nice step forward today.”

Of the chances of both fillies heading to Ascot, the trainer added: “I’d think with Cape Sounion we probably won’t. The plan was to come here and then go to the Balanchine so we’ll see, do we go back to a maiden now or do we stick to that plan?

“I’d say there is probably a good chance that Balantina could take her chance in the Albany.”

Joseph Murphy trained the first and third home in the QuinnBet Spring Fillies Handicap as Shiota prevailed by a nose at 3-1 and Lady Lilac was third at 14-1.

Of the winner he said: “I think she can go up the ranks and the next race is a Listed race in Killarney, then we’ll work up from there. She’s a nice filly.

“We’re talking about maybe making an entry for the Britannia, but we’ll see. We’ll munch over a burger tonight and see.”

He added: “I’m delighted with Lady Lilac as well. She’s a lovely filly, she’s an improving filly.”