Zarinsk shows real grit in Minstrel Stakes win

Zarinsk recorded her third win at Leopardstown when battling on bravely under Colin Keane to land the Group 2 Romanised Minstrel Stakes.

Quickly away from stalls as per usual, the Ger Lyons trained filly was soon headed by Declan McDonagh on Snapraeterea As the latter built up a couple of lengths lead, Keane was content to sit second on the Judmonte owned three-year-old.

Moving closer entering the straight, Keane sent Zarinsk to the front at the two furlong mark but had to be strong to see off a number of challengers inside the final furlong. To her credit, his mount answered every call, finding plenty for pressure.

Runner-up Honey Girl was perhaps a shade unlucky, having to wait for a run on the inner before switching to come with a strong late burst.

However, it was recent Fairyhouse Group 3 winner Zarinsk who continued her upward curve with a career best performance.

“The two of them ran a blinder but she's been a queen all season,” said Ger Lyons.

“We sent her to France, and of the team I was probably the one most negative about the trip, and it turned her inside out. You can see her today in the ring, she looks like a mare now, she's after maturing lovely and you'd nearly say she's still improving.

“Colin was adamant that the Curragh wasn't the place for her so we didn't declare and I thought I had a good substitute in Power Under Me Once the ground is like that he's going to run his race as he proved there, he ran out of room and we probably cost him third.

“I live my life by 'what's meant for you won't pass you' and they switched it. Zarinsk's headed poked up again and I'd said 'well it's made for her around here'.

“We went to France for a Group 2 and we got lucky and they put a Group 2 on beside us, and we're after collecting, so it's fantastic.

“They boys have copped on to her and they won't give her an easy lead but it just shows that she's maturing and we can ride a race on her, which is great. We've got the best man in the business to do that.

“It leaves us a lovely option now with the Matron, Champions Weekend is huge. Power Under Me can go for the Boomerang, ground being right and this rain doesn't look like it's going to stop, and Zarinsk can go for the Matron. We have a free shot at it now which is fantastic.

“We'll talk to the family and Barry will discuss it with them, and I'll do what I'm told, but the ultimate aim would obviously be to go to Champions weekend. If everybody agrees with that I'd say that's the obvious target.”

When asked if she could try travel to the US later in the year he added:-

“I did say to Barry when we're just finding ourselves that tad short on this side we can win our Grade 1 over there.

“It's up there for discussion and Barry will talk to the owners and they'll come up with a plan. I would say she's made for that but the only thing is that I like her with juice in the ground and I couldn't see her handling fast American ground.”

Additional reporting by Gary Carson.