Je Zous and Dylan Browne McMonagle © Photo Healy Racing
Not for the first time, Dylan Browne McMonagle showed his tactical awareness when coming wide into the straight aboard Je Zous to land the Group 3 Denny Cordell Lavarack & Lanwades Stud Fillies & Mares Stakes at Gowran Park.
Prominent from the outset on the Joseph O'Brien trained filly, McMonagle got to the front before halfway. In what proved to be a race winning move, the Donegal man switched his mount to the stands rail entering the straight in search of better ground. One Look and Caught u Looking throw down strong challenges from over a furlong out but neither could get to the daughter of Zoustar who galloped on strongly with the aid of the rail.
At the line, Je Zous had one-and-three-quarter-lengths in hand of One Look, with Caught u Looking a further two-and-three-quarter-lengths back in third.
“She's a good filly, her runs are very solid this year and she was dropping down in class today,” said Joseph O'Brien.
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“It's nice to win a Group race with her because she's been very consistent all along.
“I thought it was a very open race pre-race, a competitive Group race. Her run in Ascot was very good and she deserved to win a Group race. It was a good ride from Dylan.
“The owners are New Zealand based and she'll be going to Australia at some stage. Whether she has another run here or not on the way, we'll see.
“The ground is well watered here today and they've done a very good job with the going.”
Additional reporting by Gary Carson.
