Lady Iman lands Blackbeard Stakes to remain unbeaten Stepping up from the minimum trip for the first time, Lady Iman coped with an additional furlong admirably when maintaining her perfect record to win the Group 3 Coolmore Stud Irish EBF Blackbeard Fillies Sprint Stakes (Fillies). A winner on the Polytrack at Dundalk on debut, the Ger Lyons trained daughter of Starman took a significant step forward on her second start to land a Listed race at the Curragh. Despite coming into this race with a progressive profile, punters questioned if a filly who showed so much speed could be as effective over an additional furlong. With course and distance winner Simply Astounding very strong in the market(4/5f), Lady Iman drifted out to 2/1 by post time. Prominent throughout under Colin Keane, Lady Iman was pushed along over a furlong out, as the Joseph O'Brien trained Green Sense kicked in front. At that point, it looked as though an upset was on the cards, as Simply Astounding dropped to the rear of the six strong field. However, Lady Iman dispelled any stamina doubts, quickening up to join Green Sense over 150 yards out, before asserting close home to win by three-quarters-of-a-length. “She came to me with a reputation and she’s done everything easy,” said Lyons. “Colin said she gets to the front and she idles, which is lovely. I asked the question where to now and Colin said ‘wherever you want’. “We’ll sit down with Tony and Roger (O’Callaghan), it’s all about the sire and doing the right thing by the filly going forward. “You don’t rule anything in or out. There are plenty of nice races here. “People have to put guns to my head to get over there (Ascot). I’ll do whatever I’m asked to do by the owners but at this moment in time we’ll sit back. “She had Queen Mary written all over her but it’s not the be all and end all.” When asked if she was still improving he added:- “You don’t know until they don’t. We’re right and wrong about horses week in and week out. “She’s doing everything easy so we’ll keep taking it and keep taking what I can at two. “Who knows she could be the next filly to win a Phoenix.” Paddy Power went 4/1(from 6/1) Lady Iman for Albany Stakes and 4/1f(from 5/1) Queen Mary Stakes. Simply Astounding was pushed out to 10/1(from 4/1) for the former race. Additional reporting by Gary Carson.
