THE moving of the Romanised Minstrel Stakes to Leopardstown looked right up the street of Zarinsk (11/5 favourite) and so it proved as she progressed yet again this term with another thoroughly likeable performance in securing a Group 2 win for Colin Keane, Ger Lyons and Juddmonte at Leopardstown on Thursday evening.

The daughter of Kodiac has a fine record in the capital which includes a Group 3 win in the Cornelscourt Stakes over a mile here in May. She made all on that occasion but wasn’t allowed to do that here, with first Tarawa keeping her company and then the free-going Snapraeterea pulling her way to the front. It mattered little however, as Zarinsk travelled sweetly for Keane, and took back the lead where it mattered, before comfortably holding off a line of challengers led by Honey Girl by three quarters of a length.

The Matron Stakes back here for the Irish Champions Festival is the target for her now and such has been her improvement this season, she will be a real player there.

“She has been a queen all season,” Lyons said. “We sent her to France (fourth in Chantilly Group 2 on her penultimate start) and I was probably the most negative about it but it turned her inside out. You can see her in the ring there - she looks like a mare. She has matured lovely and I’d say she is still improving.

“Colin was adamant the Curragh wasn’t the place for her so I didn’t declare her (initially for this race) and we had a good sub in Power Under Me and he always runs his race on that ground, as you saw there again (finished fourth). With regard to her, they moved this race and I just said, it’s made for her around here.

“It leaves us with a lovely option of the Matron now. Champions Weekend is huge and Power Under Me can go for the Boomerang there as well.”

Sceptical

When asked about the prospects of Waltham (evens favourite) later on the card, Lyons was very sceptical of the handicappers’ assessment of his colt, suggesting a mark of 95 wasn’t warranted for his sole maiden win but the Juddmonte colt once again showed just how bright a prospect he is with an impressive six-length win in the Hipodromo De La Zarzuela Rated Race.

The son of Roaring Lion always looked to be travelling strongly for Colin Keane, who could pick his way through the field as he pleased, and his trainer thinks that with more time, he could be a ‘Cup’ horse next year.

“With these trip horses, you have to see them do it on the track and as I said, he’s only 80% cooked,” Lyons said. “When he went for his race there, I just said, ‘wow, that will do.’ He is a very nice horse, a real pleasure to have anything to do with and wouldn’t it be lovely to think he could be a Cup horse next season?

“I’d stress you won’t see the best of him until next year, when he grows up. He is in the Ballyroan Stakes but we’ll do what’s right by him and I’d say he needs an ease in the ground as well.”

JUST like she did on debut, the 1.5 million guineas purchase Ylang Ylang (1/4 favourite) raced exuberantly in front but always looked in control when landing the Group 3 Jockey Club Silver Flash Stakes.

While she appeared to be over-racing slightly, Ryan Moore always looked happy on the daughter of Frankel, and once the pair saw off Mysteries, who raced in second for most of the seven-furlong trip, the race was in the bag, with the running-on Vespertilio catching the eye considering she was last turning into the straight.

This was another classy performance from the winner, but it’s questionable just how much she learned in racing out in front on her own, which O’Brien addressed after the race.

“She had a good draw so obviously Ryan used it again,” the trainer said. “The next day we’ll take our time with her. Ryan said the ground was a little deep for her but he was very happy, he said she ran straight through the line.

“She is very genuine and tries very hard. If we go to the Debutante now, we’ll let her sit in and relax, with a view to her going on to the Moyglare after. We’ll make sure there is a bit of pace on for her. But today, if there is no pace on, you have to go. Ryan gave her a lovely ride.”

Moore and O’Brien completed their treble when Henry Adams (evens favourite) took the colts’ equivalent race, the Group 3 Japan Racing Association Tyros Stakes.

O’Brien felt the No Nay Never colt raced lazily for his winning debut at Naas, hence the blinkers were added here, and it seemed to help as he raced from the front, burned off the challenge of Chicago Fireball, and held the later challenge of his main market rival Devious, who got to within a half length.

“He’s a tough and hard horse, a No Nay Never, and very laid back,” O’Brien said. “Ryan gave him a lovely ride. He’s a fine, big, relaxed, mature and strong horse. Ryan said he’s a baby still but he has loads of speed. I think he’ll go on to Futurity. He’ll probably end up there with Henry (Longfellow).”

Earlier Brilliant (2/1 joint favourite) kicked off proceedings for O’Brien and Moore, putting her experience to good use to get off the mark in the Irish EBF Median Sires Series Fillies Maiden.

The daughter of Gleneagles and half sister to Alcohol Free tacked over from stall eight to race prominently alongside Neo Smart. Once she took that rival’s measure in the straight, it looked like she’d win comfortably but credit to runner-up, Ger Lyons’ newcomer Satki, who had her pull out all the stops of a half-length win.

O’Brien disclosed afterwards that Moore was of the opinion she will be a better filly more patiently ridden next time and the Debutante could be her next target.