Voleuse De Coeurs is driven out by Pat Smullen to beat Missunited and El Salvador© Photo Healy Racing
After being beaten by El Salvador at Limerick on her seasonal debut, Voleuse De Coeurs got her revenge this afternoon as she took the Listed Coolmore Vintage Crop Stakes under Pat Smullen for Dermot Weld.
The four-year-old daughter of Teofilo won the Cesarewitch at the Curragh last October by an impressive ten lengths but she was beaten into second by El Salvador on her first start of 2013 at Limerick last month, over a mile and a half.
Stepped back up in trip this afternoon to a mile and three quarters, the Lady O’Reilly owned bay was settled behind the leaders and was fourth at the halfway stage.
She travelled well over two furlongs out and she just edged ahead at the furlong pole, staying on well under pressure from there to score by two lengths at the line. Missunited (10/1) lost little in defeat as she finished a brave second under Seamie Heffernan for Michael Winters while El Salvador (5/4fav) could only manage third, a further four and a half lengths back under Joseph O’Brien for his father Aidan.
Dermot Weld said afterwards: "I see her as being very progressive and possibly an outstanding stayer. I thought she would win and this is a race I wanted to win.
"She was very good over staying distances last year. She is entered in the Ascot Gold Cup but that might be a bit soon for here. She could go for the Curragh Cup and then the Irish St Leger and she could be a Gold Cup horse next year.
"Conditions were perfect for her today, she always wants a little ease in the ground.
"Navan deserve credit for the efforts they made today with the track and facilities for kids are excellent here today."
Additional reporting by Michael Graham
