Big Break and Pat Smullen© Photo Healy Racing
The Dermot Weld trained Big Break put herself firmly in next year's Classic picture, impressively winning the Group 3 JRA Killavullan Stakes at Leopardstown today, under Pat Sullen.
The daughter of Dansili quickened to lead a furlong out and impressively went clear of seven rivals to record an easy three and three parts of a length win over Beyond Thankful
The manner of her win was taking and Big Break was subsequently cut to 14/1 (from 25s) for the 2013 Irish 1,000 Guineas with Paddy Power while Stan James go 12s (from 25s) for the same race.
Weld later stated “Big Break did what we expected. She was very impressive when she won her maiden here on a fast surface and she has done it very well there on a slow surface. Pat (Smullen) said while she may have looked like she was impressive, she'd love better ground.
“She is a very talented filly and she could be a Guineas contender. I wanted to see how she'd handle today' slow surface and she chopped and changed her legs a bit. On the faster surface she is more explosive and she is a miler with serious gears.”
Weld excels in marketing his yard and interestingly added “Aidan O'Brien is a hard man to topple with Group winners, but this year I've trained 14 Group winners and he has trained 13 – that hasn't happened for a while! We've had 17 Group winners in total this year and its very good for our team.”
On course reporting by Gary Carson.
