Minalisa and Fran Berry © Photo Healy Racing
English raider Minalisa avenged her narrow defeat in the race last year when claiming the Listed Yeomanstown & Morristown Studs Stakes at Naas this evening.
The Rae Guest-trained filly was one of three 3/1 co-favourites in an open looking contest and raced prominently throughout under Fran Berry.
She was asked to tackle long-time leader Tobann (3/1cf) at the furlong pole and got her measure inside the final furlong.
She found more in the closing stages to post a length-and-a-half success. Gathering Power finished well to take third, three-parts of a length behind, with stable mate Yulong Baoju (3/1cf) fourth.
Guest was glad to see the track improvements at Naas since his last visit:-
“She was second here last year and Fran said that he thought the ridges cost her the race, so when they took them out I thought we might as well come back!
“She's very well related and it's nice to get big black-type for her as she'll be kept for breeding.
“We knew she was in good form coming here and she loves the summer ground. She got a nice sensible ride.
“She's in again at the Curragh in a few weeks times and could possibly come back.”
(Additional reporting by Alan Magee)
