La Collina swoops late to take the Phoenix Stakes

La Collina runner up to Debutante Stakes winner Maybe at Leopardstown last month, paid a big compliment to that filly as she produced a blistering turn of foot to catch 7/4 favourite Power close home in the Group 1 Keeneland Phoenix Stakes.

The daughter of Strategic Prince was one of only two fillies brave enough to take on the colts (the other being After , and the gamble by her trainer Kevin Prendergast paid off in style at odds of 33/1.

It looked as if a Group race double was on the cards for Aidan O'Brien as Power kicked for home over a furlong out.

However La Collina, who raced towards rear for much of the race was switched right under two furlongs out and kept on best to get on top close home, winning by a neck. Tough As Nails ran yet another consistent race to finish just a further length and three parts back in third at 12/1.

The Declan McDonogh ridden filly was only having her third career start today having won her maiden at Limerick in June before finishing a close second to Maybe on her last start at Leopardstown in the Group 3 Silver Flash Stakes.

Kevin Manning picked up a three day suspension for careless riding after an incident about two furlongs out where Frederick Engels was badly hampered.

Winning trainer Kevin Prendergast said afterwards: "I'm delighted with that, she was working well at home. I thought both this race and the Debutante were tough races, but the Ascot form didn’t work out well so I picked this race for her.

"Maybe was giving us three pounds the last day at Leopardstown, so I wasn't keen to take her on again off level weights. She will go for the Moyglare Stud Stakes next (on August 28th at the Curragh). I pleased for her breeder as well Frank Barry who is a good pal of mine."

The winner has been introduced in the betting for next year's 1,000 Guineas with Boylesports going 10/1, while Ladbrokes go 20/1.

Donal Murphy