racing_news/

Lillie Langtry Back to Form in Timeform Fillies’ 800
03/10/09

1 (9) Lillie Langtry 8/11 (F)
2 (4) Dubawi Heights 4/1 (2F)
3 (17) Waveband 66/1

Lillie Langtry stormed back to form with victory in the Tattersalls Timeform Fillies’ 800 to leave connections looking at a return to the Rowley Mile in May for the Stan James-sponsored 1000 Guineas next May.

The Aidan O’Brien-trained filly found the heavy going her undoing when third to Termagant in the Group One Moyglare Stud Stakes on August 30, but the Group Two winner proved her class and liking for a sound surface with an impressive success.

O’Brien said of the 8/11 favourite: “I’m delighted. Obviously, the last day it was very bad ground. She was working on very bad ground and then ran on very bad ground. She was probably minding herself a bit and we were obviously a bit disappointed that day.

“Working and racing on that ground last time was a factor and she probably wasn’t fired up. She ran well enough in the Moyglare but coming home there was no edge, she wasn’t there.

“She was back to her old self today - she handled the ground, handled the track and Johnny gave her a lovely ride.

“Johnny was very happy and we are looking forward to the Guineas next year.”

Murtagh produced the Danehill Dancer two-year-old with a blistering run that saw her sweep past the duelling Dubawi Heights (2nd) and Waveband (3rd) inside the distance to register a two and a quarter length victory.

The jockey commented: “I think she’s a very nice filly. She didn’t run her race last time, whether that was because for the ground or what, I can’t say for definite, but she just wasn’t herself.

“The mile wouldn’t be a problem at all and I think she’s a filly with a big future - I like her. We did not go that quick today and they quickened down the hill. She ran on well when we hit the uphill ground.

“The wind was bad going down but not a problem coming back - it is blowing down the straight.”

Paddy Power cut Lillie Langtry’s odds for the Stan James-sponsored 1000 Guineas to 7/1 from 10/1. The Danehill Dancer filly’s odds remain unchanged at 8/1 with totesport, making her the firm’s second choice in the betting for the fillies’ classic behind Electrolux Cheveley Park Stakes winner Special Duty (4/1).

Position	Horse Trainer	Jockey Weight	Starting Price Beaten Distance
1	Lillie Langtry A P O'Brien	J Murtagh 9st 0lbs	8 - 11 Winner
2	Dubawi Heights S A Callaghan	R L Moore 9st 0lbs	4 - 1 2 1/4 lengths
3	Waveband M Johnston	R Ffrench 9st 0lbs	66 - 1 1 3/4 length
4	Pink Symphony P F I Cole	Martin Dwyer 9st 0lbs	18 - 1 1 length
5	Jira C E Brittain	N Callan 9st 0lbs	10 - 1 1/2 length
6	Siyaadah S bin Suroor	T E Durcan 9st 0lbs	16 - 1 1 1/4 length
7	Cracking Lass R A Fahey	P Hanagan 9st 0lbs	40 - 1 1 length
8	Contredanse B J Meehan	J Fortune 9st 0lbs	40 - 1 2 1/4 lengths
9	Footsie J G Given	S Sanders 9st 0lbs	100 - 1 2 3/4 lengths
10	Sunarise R Hannon	R Hughes 9st 0lbs	33 - 1 1/2 length
11	Sing Sweetly G A Butler	K Fallon 9st 0lbs	16 - 1 1/2 length
12	Iptkaar C E Brittain	J Fanning 9st 0lbs	66 - 1 2 lengths
13	Song To The Moon A M Balding	William Buick 9st 0lbs	100 - 1 Head
14	Al Joza C E Brittain	C Catlin 9st 0lbs	100 - 1 14 lengths
NonRunner	Nurai P W D'Arcy	9st 0lbs
NonRunner	House Point S C Williams	A Munro 9st 0lbs
NonRunner	Miss Smilla K A Ryan	D Holland 9st 0lbs

DUBAWI DOESN’T QUITE HIT HEIGHTS BUT THRILLS CONNECTIONS WITH CONSISTENCY

Dubawi Heights may still be a maiden but she has already been placed at Group 2 level and has now gained more than £175,000 for her connections by finishing second in the valuable Tattersalls Timeform Fillies’ 800.

Her young trainer Simon Callaghan, who heads for pastures new in California at the end of this season, was delighted with yet another good run from the daughter of Dubawi. He said: “She’s a very genuine filly and she’s run her heart out. She’s been beaten by one of Aidan’s (O’Brien) who obviously stays the trip really well and is a classy filly. There’s no disgrace finishing second to her and there’s a great pot for being second too. We’re delighted with her.”

Callaghan will be taking some of the current inmates of Rathmoy Stables with him when he leaves for Santa Anita at the end of the year but he is not certain that Dubawi Heights will be among them.

He said: “I’m not 100 per cent sure whether she’s coming to America. She could potentially be but she’s in the December sales and we’ll take a view after that.”

Mark Johnston’s good run at the Cambridgeshire meeting continued as 66/1 shot Waveband took third in the colours of Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed al Maktoum.

John Ferguson, representing the filly’s owner, said: “We’re thrilled with that. She’s put up a very brave performance and earned £78,000 as a result, which is a lot more than she’d get for winning normal races. As she’s a daughter of Exceed And Excel, we weren’t sure that she’d stay but she stays well. Thank you to Tattersalls for putting on such a fantastic event.”