Copacabana Sands earns her break after Group 3 victory Copacabana Sands has really found her groove and added to a Listed success in Naas when annexing the Group 3 Ballycorus Stakes over an extended seven-furlongs at Leopardstown. Valiant Force set out to make this a test, but saw his advantage reduced in the final three furlongs. The leader was claimed by Norwalk Havoc and Mutasarref outside the final furlong as Wayne Lordan soon switched Copacabana Sands out for a run. East Hampton was in there pitching among the leaders, but it was Easy who suddenly led narrowly inside the final furlong, however, she gave Copacabana Sands a target to aim at. Copacabana Sands motored past Easy inside the final 150 yards and won going away by a length and three-parts at 11/2 from Easy (7/1). Zodiac Bear (10/1) was a neck away in third. The 111-rated Comanche Brave was a notable non runner due to the change in going (soft). Michael O’Callaghan said: “She won her Listed race on good ground the last day, but Wayne felt she probably improved for that (soft) ground. “She found trouble again in running, she seems to do that, but she showed a bit of class and a bit of grit to get out and quicken up to win well. “We’ll probably plan an autumn campaign for her. The ground would be a factor and she’s also been on the go from early in the spring. She tries very hard, so she leaves nothing behind and deserves a break. “She was bought since the last day by Barbara Keller, a lady that I know about ten years or maybe more. I sold her a filly years ago and she left it with me, and I also sold her Night Sparkle who she had good fun with and it’s great to get her back in the yard.” Additional reporting by Alan Magee
