Tarawa and Chris Hayes © Photo Healy Racing
The Dermot Weld trained Tarawa returned to her best form when staying on strongly under Chris Hayes to land the Group 3 Snow Fairy Fillies Stakes at the Curragh.
Fourth in the Irish 1000 Guineas last season, the Aga Khan owned filly failed to get her head in front in subsequent starts. Winner of a Listed race at Leopardstown in June of this year, she then finished runner-up on her next outing.
Prominent from the outset, Tarawa tracked Unreasonable for much of the contest, before Hayes pushed the 11/2 chance into the lead over two furlongs out.
Finding plenty for pressure, the daughter of Shamardal stayed on well to hold fellow Aga Khan owned filly Hanalia by a length-and-a-quarter.
“It was a good performance by her, she's been a model of consistency,” said Dermot Weld.
“I know she's been placed more times in group races but she has a lot of black-type and having won a stakes race at Leopardstown it was just lovely to go and win a group race with her today.
“I thought she had it won a long way out. I appreciate she got first run on them a little bit but the track is riding quick today and the plan was to sit very handy because they are not coming from off the pace.
“The way every race is working out today you have to sit very handy. That's what he did and the rest is history.
“When she won her Listed race at Leopardstown that's what she did and she ran a good race at Leopardstown when she was second to a good horse of Aidan's.
“I think a mile-and-one is her correct trip. She's after winning her stakes and her group race over a mile-and-one.
“She was in a graded race at Kentucky Downs and we gave it a lot of thought but we decided to stay here.
“I have a few ideas for her now.”
When asked about her entry in the Matron Stakes he added:-
“We'll see how she comes out of it, that could be a possibility. It depends on the makeup of the Matron. She's very good around Leopardstown so we'll give it definite consideration.”
Additional reporting by Gary Carson.
