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Michael Graham

Michael Graham

Ballet Shoes dances home in Tipperary

Fri 11th Aug 2017, 19:34

Ballet Shoes impresses at TipperaryBallet 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

About Michael Graham
Michael has worked in horse racing journalism for more than 15 years, having also written a weekly betting column on Gaelic football and hurling for a newspaper. He is involved in writing the My Racing Story features on this website. He spent a year in South Africa completing a Diploma in Business Administration and also studied Newspaper Journalism in Belfast. He enjoys playing 5-a-side football on a regular basis.