Rehana and Shane Foley© Photo Healy Racing
The Aga Khan’s Rehana earned quotes for the Irish 1,000 Guineas following her win in the Group 3 Canford Cliffs Irish EBF Athasi Stakes at Naas today, scoring nicely for trainer Michael Halford and jockey Shane Foley.
The daughter of Dark Angel, whose form lines tie in with many of this year’s top Classic fillies, shook off principal rival Rose De Pierre with a furlong to race and in the end scored a two and three parts of a length win over that rival.
Paddy Power later introduced Rehana at 11/2 for the Curragh 1,000 Guineas, and following the race Halford, stated “it went to plan - we said we'd keep it simple with her. It probably wasn't ideal to make the running but she doesn't mind as she's straight forward.
“Ground is important to her and if she gets her ground she'll take her chance in the (Irish) Guineas. She's so genuine that she handles an ease in it but you'd have to say she's at her best on good or quicker even.
“We'll see how she is come the (Guineas) time. That will do her confidence good. She's had a couple of races against top class fillies and even her comeback run was good.
“It's amazing at this time of year if the fillies get their head in front it does a lot for their confidence.”
When asked if she could step up in trip in time Halford responded:- “No. She'll go a mile, I'd imagine, she's not short of pace.”
By Tom Weekes, quotes from Gary Carson
