Balansiya gets a pat from Smullen© Photo Healy Racing
From the two pole Balansiya absolutely destroyed her rivals in the seven furlong fillies’ maiden at Leopardstown as she quickened away impressively to win by seven lengths.
The Shamardal filly, on her first racecourse appearance, was Dermot Weld’s first juvenile runner for the Aga Khan and the pair must have been delighted with the start of their new venture.
Balansiya travelled in second behind Ardbrae and swept by on the bend with two furlongs to race. She stretched away under Pat Smullen and quickly put daylight between herself and the other 10 runners. She drifted from an opening show of 2/1 out to 11/4 joint favouritism.
Dermot Weld said: “That was a nice performance by her. She had been working nicely and the few drying days helped her as I think she is a good ground filly really.
“She wouldn't have wanted it any softer than that. She is just a lovely filly and hopefully she will make into a stakes filly for next year.” Upper Silesian the well-backed other 11/4 joint favourite, stayed on for second, a short head in front of She’s Mine (an easy to back 11/2 from 4/1 in the ring). Spirited was hammered down from 9/1 to 4/1 on course but came in fourth, a head out of the places.
Paddy Power gave Balansiya a first show of 16/1 for the 1,000 Guineas.
Listed winners and Group 3 placed pair Bunairgead and Twirl and Group 2 scorer Manieree won the previous three renewals of this race.
Additional reporting by Donal Murphy
