HOMELESS Songs (120+) replicated the stunning turn of foot which saw her successful at Leopardstown to win the Irish 1000 Guineas at the Curragh, posting a time figure faster than achieved by Cachet in the British equivalent.

The eye was drawn to the winner as early as the five-furlong marker as Chris Hayes eased to the outside of the field to obtain a smooth passage. In effortless fashion, the daughter of Frankel cruised onto the heels of the leaders passing the two-furlong pole before quickening away to post a closing sectional from the intersection of the courses of 38.02secs, which was at least half a second faster than the other races on the straight track.

In comparison, Pearls Galore (110+) finished off in 38.61secs, while Zarinsk (94) stopped the clock at 38.55secs.

Exceptional

The Coronation Stakes at Ascot is next on the agenda for Dermot Weld’s filly where it will take an exceptional effort from one of her opponents to resist her finishing speed.

Tuesday (114) held on for second in the face of a strong late finish from Concert Hall (114), who would be my preferred each-way choice of the Ballydoyle fillies if they both head to Epsom.

There was also plenty of substance in the run of Star Girls Aalmal (113), who momentarily went with the winner when she quickened before fading in the final furlong. A return to seven furlongs could see Henry de Bromhead’s filly win in pattern company.

State Of Rest the one to take out of Gold Cup

ALENQUER (115+) won a thrilling Group 1 Tattersalls Gold Cup in the hands of Tom Marquand who enjoyed a high-profile winner on his first visit to the Curragh.

The closing sectionals were the deciding factor in a race which was not run at a fast pace throughout as Ryan Moore almost executed a fine front-running ride aboard High Definition (115).

The William Haggas-trained winner covered the ground from the three-furlong pole in 35.67secs, which was 1.71secs quicker than Kiss You Later (98+) in the concluding maiden.

I would have expected a much faster time figure for a Group 1 race so would be inclined to reserve judgement on the prospects of High Definition at this level given how he enjoyed an easy lead.

However, I would endorse the claims of State Of Rest (114+) (as well as the winner) as Joseph O’Brien’s colt was closer at the line than at the two-furlong pole.

Earned Group 1 shot

Pearls Galore earned herself another shot at a Group 1 with her victory in the Group 2 Lanwades Stud Stakes for fillies and mares, and there was an ease in her victory which exceeded the winning margin as the daughter of Invincible Spirit travelled smoothly before just doing enough to prevail. Paddy Twomey’s mare is equally effective at seven furlongs or a mile.

Runner-up Emphatic Answer (109) ran a career best reverting to the front-running tactics which had served the daughter of No Nay Never so well when previously successful over course and distance.

The other races of note were the opening fillies maiden where the closing sectional achieved by the winner Zarinsk compared well to the group races. The performance of the principal three (Olivia Maralda second, Never Ending Story third) gains extra credibility when considering they were all making their debut.

Boundless can win a Group 3

IT was a low-key start to the Curragh weekend on Friday evening with the feature Gallinule Stakes going the way of Hannibal Barca (105+) on debut for Joseph O’Brien.

The son of Zoffany posted the fastest time-figure and closing sectionals in unison when winning by a hard-fought length from Lyrical Poetry (104) who performed with credit stepping up from a maiden win at Gowran Park.

Shane Crosse made his race-winning move on the approach to the three-furlong marker on route to a closing sectional of 35.62secs, although probably more importantly he ensured closest market rival Boundless Ocean was hemmed in on the rail.

Boundless Ocean (102+) finished full of running and looks equipped to win at this level.

A comparison of the closing sectionals with the other two races on the round course read well for the winners, Vellner (95+) and Dame Rapide (94+).

The former covered the same distance as the group race winner in only a slightly slower time, which was supported by a closing sectional of 35.87secs which was also in a similar proximity. Dame Rapide posted 35.78secs for her closing sectional as she repelled the challenge of proven graded hurdler Echoes In Rain (92).