Copacabana Sands maintains strong form to land Barberstown Castle Stakes
The three-year-old filly landed the Listed Owenstown Stud Stakes at Naas last time out, prior to which she was a respectable fifth in the Priory Belle despite encountering very little luck in running.
At Leopardstown she returned at the same Group Three level as the latter contest, and under Wayne Lordan was an 11-2 chance when prevailing by a length and three quarters.
'She won her Listed race on good ground the last day but Wayne felt she probably improved for that (soft) ground,' said O'Callaghan.
'She found trouble again in running, she seems to do that, but she showed a bit of class and a bit of grit to get out and quicken up to win well.
'We'll probably plan an autumn campaign for her. The ground would be a factor and she's also been on the go from early in the spring.
'She tries very hard, so she leaves nothing behind and deserves a break.'
Gavin Cromwell's Brownstown could have a smart future after making a winning introduction in the Irish EBF Median Sires Series Fillies Maiden.
Brownstown (Cracksman) makes a nice start with the hope she could a stakes filly in the making for @gavincromwell1 at @LeopardstownRC pic.twitter.com/fKkaDges2z
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) June 12, 2025
Sent off the 3-1 second favourite in the hands of Gary Carroll, the daughter of Cracksman showed a likeable attitude once kicking clear of the field to hold on for a half-length success.
Carroll said: 'She's a filly we like a lot. She's a big, long-striding filly who travels well and has a gear.
'She picked up to win well and has got tired inside the furlong pole. She had a good blow, and the ground is probably as slow as she wants it. She has a bit of class.
'She won a barrier trial well and stepped forward. She's a very straightforward filly and I think as the year goes on, she'll keep improving.'
There was also a first victory for Dermot Weld's Sindria (3-1) in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Maiden, with the daughter of Kodiac running on strongly in the hands of Chris Hayes to pip Johnny Murtagh's 6-4 favourite Shakazia.
Dermot Weld's Sindria won nicely (PA)
Weld said: 'She ran a very good race on her only run as a two-year-old and at Naas the ground was probably a bit quick for her, and she ran too free early on.
'She only finished about four lengths behind the favourite in Naas having done a lot wrong. We've spent a lot of time over the last couple of weeks just getting her to relax and settle to enjoy her work. The proof of the pudding was winning there today.
'She's by Kodiac out of a Galileo mare and that's why she came home well there. A good ride from the winning jockey.'
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