Search
Punchestown 2024
Punchestown 2024
- Home
- News
Michael Graham
Actress puts on a Curragh show
Actress heads for home in the Curragh
© Photo Healy Racing
Actress sprang a 7/1 surprise in the five runner Group Three Anglesey Stakes over an extended six furlongs in the Curragh.
Aidan O'Brien's filly raced in a close third on the outer of hot-favourite Brother Bear and Theobald who disputed the lead.
She was on terms at halfway and once Brother Bear was asked for his effort in the final quarter of a mile he hung left as he did in the Coventry at Royal Ascot.
Actress kept gun-barrel straight and held a definite lead in the final furlong. She galloped home under Seamie Heffernan to win by a length and three quarters.
Theobald, on his second start after winning a mile maiden at Leopardstown, kept on for second at 10/3. Brother Bear (evens favourite) was half a length back in third having drifted over to the stand-side rail.
Seamie Heffernan said: "I rode her last week over five and I thought they didn't go quick enough for me as I thought she was an out-and-out sprinter.
“I didn't think she'd see out the trip as well today but I kept her at it. If they have a bit of pace and want to go forward it's better to leave them at it.
“I knew when I saw Kevin (Manning on Theobald) give his horse a slap I had him beaten and then I could see Colm (O'Donoghue) getting further away from me. I was fairly confident after giving her one tap it was mine.
“I'd say being by Declaration Of War the fast ground is a fair help.
"She had a very good run last week in Tipperary and she's hardy. It has taken her a while to come but when Aidan's two year-olds come they can take racing.
"I was drawn in the middle of the track and I came up the middle of the track. I tried to uncomplicate things, she won very easily."
This gave Aidan O'Brien a double on the card as he also supplied The Pentagon to win the opening maiden.
Additional reporting by Gary Carson