Moon De Vega moving through grades for Twomey

Moon De Vega is enjoying herself in Ireland and made it two from two for Paddy Twomey in the Listed Glencairn Stakes over nine furlongs at Leopardstown.

The three-year-old Lope De Vega filly spent her juvenile campaign with Ralph Beckett in Britain.

She travelled kindly in the hands of Billy Lee in their pursuit of Vega Magnifico approaching the home straight.

Vega Magnifico ran on well along the rail but was passed with 150 yards to travel.

The 15/8 favourite wasn't quite home yet, though, as Salt Lake City (3/1) threw down a late challenge on the outer. The leader fended him off by a neck.

“She's a nice filly to have. She won her winners' race and now she's after winning her Listed race,” said Twomey.

“I thought initially that nine furlongs might be a bit sharp for her, but she did it well in Gowran over nine-and-a-half and Billy said there that she's very comfortable at that distance.

“I'd say she'll go for the (Group 2) Kilboy Stakes on Oaks weekend, it is nine furlongs and a Group 3. That would be the logical next step.

“We haven't been hard on her at home, so hopefully she can keep improving.

“I said to Billy, being by Lope De Vega, would she be okay on the ground but it was good enough in Gowran and he thought she handled it well.

“Her form last year was good. She had a troubled passage in Chester behind Thoughts Of June and Above The Curve, when they got away on her, and she ran well enough in the Hoppings Stakes at Newcastle after the Epsom Oaks.”

Additional reporting by Gary Carson