Ballet Shoes impresses at Tipperary© Photo Healy Racing
Ballet Shoes (11/4) confirmed herself to be a filly to watch with a smooth display in the Listed Coolmore Ivawood Stakes at Tipperary.
This was a step up in class for Aidan O'Brien's filly from her maiden victory at the Curragh last month but she took it in her stride.
She raced just off Strike For Freedom before easing to the front, under Donnacha O'Brien, on the home bend.
She came down the stands' side rail and drew clear in the final half a furlong to readily win by three and a quarter lengths.
Punters really came for the unbeaten Lethal Steps and forced his price down to 6/4 favourite.
He was outgunned by Ballet Shoes though, and came in second without troubling her.
Mattymolls Gaga at 14/1 completed the placings.
Donnacha O'Brien said: "I liked her the first day I rode her and she stepped up to win her maiden the last day.
"Today was a stepping stone for her - it wasn't a case of just getting black-type as I think she's a very smart filly.
"She'll get further than that and will stay a 1m2f at least but she has shown enough pace today to be effective over a mile."
Regarding his battle to make 8st 12lbs (put up 2lbs overweight) for the ride, he added: "It's always tough but there's people that are finding it tough to ride the bad horses in handicaps so when you're doing it on a filly like that it's not bad."
Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes
