Queen rules as gambled stablemate flops

Curlylocks was the only one punters wanted to know about in the opener at Leopardstown, the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies 2yo Maiden, but she ultimately flopped as her 20/1 stablemate Queen Nefertiti landed the spoils in impressive fashion under Billy Lee.

As big as 4/1 this morning Curlylocks, a first foal out of the classy Meow, was heavily backed throughout the day and opened on-course at just 5/4 before going off the clear even money favourite under Wayne Lordan for David Wachman.

Queen Nefertiti, the supposed stable second string, was totally friendless in the market and having started at 10/1 this morning she opened on-course at 16’s before drifting out to 20/1 at the off.

Drawn out wide in nine, the winner was settled on the outer in mid-division and she travelled well in fourth with two furlongs to race.

She was ridden to challenge over a furlong out and she soon swept to the front, keeping on well from there to score easily by four and a half lengths. Simply A Star (14/1), the supposed Aidan O’Brien second string, finished second after attempting to make all under Seamie Heffernan, while Curlylocks just got up to take third a further half a length back.

David Wachman said afterwards: "She's a nice filly and is straight-forward. Both of them are in the Moyglare and they are two nice fillies.

"Wayne said his was raw while Billy said she was professional. Her mother (Chintz) was quite nice and won the CL Weld for me a few years ago.

"She'll maybe come back here for the Silver Flash."

Additional reporting by Gary Carson