Afternoon Sunlight and Pat Smullen (red cap) win the 1,000 Guineas Trial© Photo Healy Racing
The red-hot form of the Dermot Weld string has been the main talking point of the Flat season so far, and the Rosewell House team hit new heights at Leopardstown this afternoon with a Group race treble. Afternoon Sunlight provided the middle leg of the Group 3 trio when a pre-race plan to make the running was carried out to perfection by Pat Smullen in the Derrinstown Stud 1,000 Guineas Trial.
The former champion dictated matters in front and quickened it up in the straight before gamely holding on in the closing stages by a head from Palace Ballybacka Queen came home well to finish just three quarters of a length back in third.
Weld said, “She is a brave and genuine filly, and was given an excellent ride by Pat. She quickened and she battled.
“We’ll have to think about the Irish 1,000 Guineas but we’ll see how she comes out of this race first.
“She’s an exceptionally well-bred filly, and a mile and a quarter could well be her optimum trip.”
