Ballinea stars for Robson Aguiar in Anglesey Stakes Ballinea Star landed Group Three honours with a 16-1 surprise in the Jebel Ali Racecourse And Stables Anglesey Stakes at the Curragh. The market was all about Confucius, only sixth in the Coventry Stakes, but not beaten far, and Aidan O’Brien’s 1.7million guineas colt was soon leading under Ryan Moore. The eventual winner was with him all the way, however, and while she was joined on her outside by her Robson Aguiar stablemate Immortal Guard, she dug deep to find more and score by half a length, with Confucius a close third. Aguiar said: “The two had the same chance. Ballinea Star won well last time. She got tough and she got strong. Six furlongs is a little bit short for Immortal Guard. He is a horse with a lot of class and he will improve a lot when he steps up in trip. “I knew there wasn’t much between the two. I let Donagh (O’Connor) pick and he picked the filly. She won and it was a big result with the other horse finishing second as well.” He added: “I loved this filly since I saw her in the sales. She is still weak and when she goes further she will have a lot to give. “We might come back to Leopardstown for the Silver Flash. We have the Moyglare, Goffs Million and Breeders’ Cup in mind for her.”
