Floresta 'has the chance of being a real good one' Johnny Murtagh and Ben Coen claimed the Group 3 Darley Irish EBF Stanerra Stakes when Floresta put in a stout-staying performance. An extended mile-and-five-furlongs was on offer and last year's winner, and subsequent Melbourne Cup runner-up, Goodie Two Shoes was back for more. She travelled well into the lead racing into the final couple of furlongs, however, Floresta came from well back to follow her through. Try as Goodie Two Shoes did, she couldn't shake off Floresta who collared her in the closing stages for a length and a-half victory at 6/1. The runner-up was an 11/4 chance and she was more than five lengths clear of 7/4 favourite Perfect Your Craft. "That was very good. I don’t know what happened her the last time (10th, Gowran Park), I really fancied her,” said Murtagh. “I thought she was in for a big year, you can see the size of her there. From three to four she did really well, she came back in great form. “I couldn’t explain it, so I just gave her a bit of time. She was starting to come in the last couple of weeks. “Her last piece of work wasn’t spectacular, but Ben rode her the day after and he said she had really bounced out of the work well. “I think she is a good stayer. She’s won a Group 3 now so we’ll probably step her up. “She ran very well in a Group 2 at Doncaster last year (Park Hill Stakes) and I kind of had that on my mind again this year. We’ll see how she is. “She has the chance of being a real good one.” Paddy Power cut Floresta from 33/1 to 20/1 for the Lillie Langtry Stakes at Goodwood. Additional reporting by Gary Carson
