Queen makes big impression on debut Ipanema Queen could be heading to Royal Ascot after making an impressive winning debut in the opening Irish EBF Auction Series Maiden at the Curragh this afternoon. The Adrian Murray-trained filly attracted support from 14/1 this morning, eventually going to post a 7/2 shot. She was in front after a furlong, under Wayne Lordan, and asserted in style in the closing stages to post a comprehensive five-and-a-half length win. The daughter of Sands Of Mali had cost just €4,500 as a yearling. “She’s a nice filly. She was ready to run early on but then she got a little bit weak and we gave her a little break,” said assistant Robson Aguiar. “She was well coming here but I’d say she was only 75 percent today and there should be a little bit more to come. “We like her and have her entered for the Group 2 here on Derby weekend (Balanchine Stakes). “We wanted to run today because if she did well we would try and run her in the Albany at Ascot. That’s the plan. “She impressed me with the way she won today because I thought she should do it today but not that easily.”
