CONNECTIONS’ decision to keep Porta Fortuna in training as a four-year-old appears to have been justified after Donnacha O’Brien’s multiple Group 1 winner made a winning return to action in the Group 2 Lanwades Stud Stakes.

Carrying a 3lb penalty for her Matron Stakes victory, the bay was sent off the 5/4 favourite against race-fit rivals including One Look and Vera’s Secret, both group winners last time out. Reunited with her Falmouth Stakes partner Ryan Moore, she tracked the leaders on the outside and quickened passing the three-furlong pole.

Pushed along to lead approaching the final furlong, she kept on well as One Look (3/1) gave chase, getting within half a length on the line. There was another two and a quarter lengths back to Naomi Lapaglia (10/1), who headed longtime leader Vera’s Secret (13/2).

“It was a lovely starting point for her,” O’Brien said after the race. “She did things right, relaxed nicely and quickened up well. Ryan said she got a little bit idle in front.”

Porta Fortuna subsequently shortened to 6/1 for the Queen Anne Stakes, and on future plans, her trainer commented: “The Queen Anne seems likely. We have the option of that or the Duke Of Cambridge, but I think when she won so nicely and she’s training good and she’s happy and healthy, I think we have to look at the Queen Anne.”

The American-owned filly ended last season with a trip to the Breeders’ Cup, which is likely to be repeated this year, her trainer said. “We’ll see what happens. It was a target last year and the year before so it seems like an obvious possibility at the end of the year. We’ll get through the rest of the year and see how she is and hatch a plan then.”

Planned to perfection

Porta Fortuna is owned by Medallion Racing, Steve Weston, Dean Reeves and Barry Fowler, who travelled over for their star’s return. O’Brien appeared to have planned their trip perfectly, as he also won the opening maiden with the Weston and Reeves-owned 6/1 chance Balantina (Oisin Murphy), and took the finale with 14/1 shot Sharpen (Gavin Ryan), owned by Weston and Medallion Racing with DJ Stable LLC and Hoffmann.

Steve Weston had an additional part to play in the treble, O’Brien revealed. “I wasn’t even going to run Balantina; I was going to go to Listowel with her, but Steve said to give her a run because he was over.”

Connections never really had a moment’s worry in the Tally Ho Stud Irish EBF Fillies Maiden either, as Balantina made all and travelled strongly to the two-furlong pole. Running on well when challenged, she went on to beat stablemate Cape Sounion (7/4 favourite) by a length.

The six-figure yearling had been well-backed on debut over course and distance, when she finished fourth to Andab, who took third in the Marble Hill Stakes the previous day. O’Brien later commented that the runner-up may step up to seven furlongs, while Balantina is likely to line up in the Albany Stakes.

Filly sharpens up

Sharpen, meanwhile, will step into listed company after taking a significant step forward on her second start in the Glenroyal Hotel And Shoda Cafe Irish EBF Fillies Maiden over 10 furlongs. The €200,000 yearling buy was slowly away and green on debut in March and appeared to appreciate the better surface and extra two furlongs at the Curragh.

Racing in second for much of the way, she ran down the longtime leader passing the two-furlong pole and ran on well when even-money favourite Mittens threw down a challenge. Staying on well to the line, she prevailed by a length and a quarter, with another four and three quarter lengths back to the third.

“She’s a very nice filly,” O’Brien noted. “She ran in terrible ground in Naas first time out and we gave her a bit of time since then and changed a few things with her.”

On his team’s fantastic day, the trainer commented: “They’ve been running well for the last few weeks, we’ve had plenty of placed horses, and it’s nice to get a few winners. It’s always important on the big days.”