Kalaxana completes hat-trick in Lenebane Stakes

Kalaxana continued her progress through the ranks when completing a hat-trick in the Lenebane Stakes at Roscommon.

The Michael Halford-trained filly added this Listed contest to previous victories in a Gowran Park maiden and the Ulster Oaks Handicap with a solid performance.

Enjoying another step up in distance, the Aga Khan-owned three-year-old battled on well in the closing stages after Family Tree had made most of the running.

Kalaxana (11-4) responded to Chris Hayes’ urgings to beat Maths Prize by a length and a quarter to earn the chance at Group Three level next.

Halford said, “She’s a very straight forward filly with a great attitude. Chris just said she didn’t handle the track that well. He had to pick her up to get her going and then got there a shade sooner than he would have liked.

“She’s progressive and handles that ground well. She’ll go now for the Group Three Give Thanks Stakes at Cork now.

“She doesn’t take that much out of herself at home and hopefully she continues to progress. She has the size and scope and could be the type to stay in training next year.”