Moments Of Joy races into Ascot contention with Leopardstown success
Minerva, a 1.5million guineas yearling purchase in October and a daughter of Frankel, was the 8-15 favourite to make a successful start to her career in the hands of Ryan Moore, with fellow Ballydoyle runner Moments Of Joy a 3-1 shot under Wayne Lordan.
While Minerva looked all at sea from an early stage, Justify filly Moments Of Joy battled her way to the front in the home straight and found more once challenged by Little Sure Shot to emerge victorious by half a length. Minerva got the hang of things late on to finish four lengths further behind in third.
Ballydoyle representative Chris Armstrong said: 'Aidan felt they were two lovely fillies coming here and they have both never been away.
'Ryan's filly was very green, but he really likes her. Even in the parade ring she was very green, but the way she finished off was a positive. Wayne's filly was more professional. They went a solid pace, and it caught them out early.
'We'll see how she comes out of this and she could be one for the Chesham (at Royal Ascot). She's a fine, big, scopey filly with a great temperament and there would be no trouble stepping up in trip.'
Trainer Ger O'Leary also has Royal Ascot ambitions for Love Billy Boy (7-2), who provided jockey Wayne Hassett with a winner on his 19th birthday in the Leopardstown Golf & Driving Range Apprentice Handicap.
'We have him entered in the Royal Hunt Cup in Ascot and he might get a few pounds that would get him into that,' said O'Leary.
'There is another race on the Thursday, a seven-furlong 0-105 handicap (Buckingham Palace Stakes), so we're going to enjoy tonight and talk about going across the water then.'
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