Black Caviar Gold quickened up smartly to claim the Weld Park Stakes and mark herself out as an exciting prospect in the process at the Curragh.
A stylish winner of a Cork maiden last time out, the Paddy Twomey-trained youngster took the step into Group Three company in her stride and always looked to be going well under Billy Lee, who was in no rush aboard the 4-1 chance.
However, it was when asked to up the ante that the daughter of Havana Grey advertised her star quality, showing a deadly turn of foot to creep into contention then surge two and three-quarter lengths clear of the runner-up Pivotal Attack – reversing the form of her Galway debut in late July.
Twomey said: “She’s a nice filly and we’ve taken our time with her and let her come to us. She won impressively on rain-softened ground the last day and I thought she was ready for a step into this company.
“The plan had been to be a bit handier, but she just missed the kick. Billy said she went through the race lovely and ideally he could have done with a lead for a bit longer, but he thinks she is a classy filly.
“She’s learning about racing as she goes. She had sore shins in the spring and that’s why I was looking for softer ground this year. I think as she gets older and gets stronger it (the ground) will make no difference.
“She’s had four runs, and I’d say that will be it for this year.”