Create Belief and Shane Kelly© Photo Healy Racing
Create Belief continued on her rapid upward curve when making it four wins from five starts this season in the featured Invesco Pension Consultants Desmond Stakes at Leopardstown.
The Johnny Murtagh-trained filly was sent off the 5/6 favourite for this Group 3 mile event having blitzed her rivals in the Sandringham Stakes at Royal Ascot and justified the step up in class with a smart turn of foot.
She responded impressively when Shane Kelly asked her to quicken over a furlong out to go over two lengths clear and was probably idling in front as the margin was reduced close home to half a length. Georgeville kept on well on the outer to take the runner-up spot, with Real Appeal a further length and a quarter back in third.
Murtagh said, “She came out of Ascot really well. This is a big step up and you want to see can she run to a 110 rating.
“There wasn’t much pace in the race, she was a little bit wide all the way but Shane said he rode her like the best filly in the race.
“He said she quickened up and put the race to bed and then idled a little bit. When she gets to the front she thinks she has enough done but I’m delighted with that.
“I’ll speak to Sheikh Fahad and the team. She’s in the Matron and it looks the obvious next step for her.
“People are talking about the ground for her but if she couldn’t go on that ground today we were in trouble. It’s on the slow side of good.
“She does handle extreme ground well when other horses don’t but he said she felt very comfortable on that ground today."
The Curragh trainer was full of praise for Kelly adding, “I’m absolutely delighted for Shane. He came to me earlier this year and said where do I fit in? I said you’re second jockey and Ben (Coen) is first.
“Ben is suspended at the moment so these are pressure rides for Shane but I have faith in him. He’s been around a long time now. He’s served his time, works very hard in the yard and he’s never let me down once. He knows the horses well and he’s solid.”
