Chantez springs Ballyogan Stakes success The Ger Lyons-trained Chantez was a shock 28/1 winner of the Group 3 Tally-Ho Stud Irish EBF Ballyogan Stakes at Naas this afternoon for jockey Gary Carroll. The daughter of Wootton Bassett had not won since her success in the Ingabelle Stakes as a two-year-old but had been highly tried and consistent since dropping back in trip and was a very good fourth on her latest start in Naas. She travelled well throughout the contest and was eager to sit on the tail of the leaders. When Carroll asked her to press the Karl Burke-trained Soul Lover, she duly obliged to run out winner by half a length. Speaking after the race, Racing Manager PJ Colville said: “That was great because this could have been her last run. “We’ll probably keep her going now, we’ll speak to Ger. “She was running well over longer distances, but she wasn’t showing as much as she did as a two-year-old, so we decided to throw the dice and come back in trip with a pair of blinkers. “I think this set-up, a stiff six, suits her well. The last day she did everything right, but she just needs to get into the rhythm of the sprinting division. “She was sharp today and got a good set-up, so we’re delighted. “She does stay a bit further and I think the finish here suits her, the stiff six is ideal.” (Quotes from Gary Carson)
