Perfect News and Chris Hayes (left)© Photo Healy Racing
Irish racing is holding its breath for Baaeed's possible arrival and today his trainer William Haggas sent aptly named Perfect News (9/1) to win Naas' featured Tally-Ho Stud Irish EBF Ballyogan Stakes.
Ridden by the trainer's go-to Irish based rider Chris Hayes, Frankel-filly Perfect News arrived from off the pace to win by half a length from Benefit with less than a length separating the first four finishers.
A stewards' enquiry was called into an incident two furlongs out where Perfect News crossed Benefit but the result was allowed stand.
Hayes, riding his third winner from four Irish rides for Haggas, reported “I spoke to Mr Haggas this morning and he said to me that the ground is what it is, she’ll handle it but she won’t be as effective as she would with an ease.
“I didn’t feel they went over quick but I was just at the pin of my collar for the first two furlongs. Going past the junction of the courses at halfway, she leapt onto the bridle. She toughed it out well, is an improving filly and that was important black type.”
Haggas, with four Irish Group 1 wins including an Oaks success with Sea Of Class, is finalising plans for retiring Baaeed with Leopardstown's Champion Stakes a potential September target for the world's highest rated (135) horse.
Quotes from Alan Magee
