SAHorseracing.com
SAHorseracing.com
MINDING CLASSY IN PRETTY POLLY WIN

Minding could be seen next in the Qatar Nassau Stakes after collecting her third Group One triumph of the season in the Sea The Stars Pretty Polly Stakes at the Curragh.

The Qipco 1000 Guineas and Investec Oaks heroine displayed a decisive turn of foot to cut down long-time leader Bocca Baciata and surge clear in the final half-furlong.

Colm O'Donoghue tried to steal a march on Bocca Baciata and Jessica Harrington's four-year-old turned for home a good five lengths in front.

However, Ryan Moore asked Aidan O'Brien's filly to go about her business and the 1-5 shot gobbled up the deficit in a matter of strides, going away to win by four and a half lengths.

Lucida was third for Godolphin and Jim Bolger, while the Luca Cumani-trained Koora was fourth and James Fanshawe's Speedy Boarding last of the five.

It was the third leg in a Group-race four-timer for O'Brien, with Sir Isaac Newton, Roly Poly and Sword Fighter adding to the Ballydoyle haul.

Minding was cut to 6-4 favourite from 2-1 for the Nassau at Glorious Goodwood on July 30 with Paddy Power. RaceBets make her 13-2 from 8-1 for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.

Paddy Power also trimmed Minding to 5-4 favourite from 2-1 for the Darley Irish Oaks on July 16.

O'Brien said: "She is a great filly. She loves her racing, and is getting very relaxed. Ryan was delighted with her, she picked up well in the straight and got her (Bocca Baciata) in the end.

"Those small fields can be messy, but we're obviously delighted.

"We will look at something like the Nassau. She has two options really for her next run, the Irish Oaks and the Nassau, and we are eyeing the Irish Oaks with Even Song.

"You'd rather stay at a mile and a half with Even Song, whereas this filly has an option of a mile and a quarter. We'll see how she is nearer the time, which race is the best for her."

He added: "I hope she will stay in training next year, and I'll certainly plead that she does. She is very talented and progressing all the time."

Moore said: "She's a very good filly and Aidan keeps bringing her back and producing her to run.

"It's some performance for a filly to run in two Guineas, an Oaks then come here. It's a tough schedule and to keep her in super shape is a magnificent achievement.

"She picked up to get there, then we shut down in the last furlong. There was more there again if we needed it.

"She's a high-class filly and is adaptable with trip and can go on a variety of ground as well.

"I'm very lucky to ride her."

BHA 

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