PAUL Townend, joining Kennedy, Mullins and Davy Russell as interlopers for the day, scored a stakes win when he guided front-running Lady Blanco to win the $50,000 Peapack Filly and Mare Stakes for Amy Taylor Rowe and trainer Leslie Young.

“I’m fortunate enough, I’ve ridden in Ireland, England, France, Australia, it was nice to add America,” Townend said. “I supposed they probably go steadier early here and gradually pick it up. Look, it’s a horse race at the end of the day, if you haven’t got the animal, you can’t make them go. It’s like any of our summer tracks, it’s tight, it’s quick, but it’s fair track, if you’re on the best horse, you’ll probably win around here, it’s a good, stiff finish.”