Dandy Man's Lady Kaya Dominates 1000 Guineas Trial

   Runner-up at the highest level during last term's juvenile campaign, Joanne Lavery's Lady Kaya (Ire) (Dandy Man {Ire}) turned Saturday's G3 Ballylinch Stud 'Priory Belle' 1000 Guineas Trial S. at Leopardstown into a procession and stamped herself a leading contender for the upcoming Classic window. The bay posted a June 9 debut third at The Curragh before stunning onlookers with a 10-length tally back there Aug. 12. Stepped up to stakes company thereafter, she ran fourth behind Skitter Scatter (Scat Daddy) in the Aug. 26 G2 Debutante S. and second behind the same rival in the Sept. 16 G1 Moyglare Stud S., and entered winter quarters following a sixth to Fairyland (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}) in the Sept. 29 G1 Cheveley Park S. at Newmarket. Lady Kaya bullied her way to the front after the initial strides and set the tone thereafter. On the bridle halfway up the straight and with all rivals toiling, the 11-4 favourite kept on powerfully once stoked up with 150 yards remaining to easily register a career high by 2 1/4 lengths from the running on Happen (War Front). “At the back of my mind, in the bits and pieces we've been giving her, I wasn't sure she was going to stay and I was really worried about her staying the trip on the [soft] ground,” admitted trainer Sheila Lavery. “I told Robbie [Colgan] to just let her jump and travel and keep her together. He said it was like a piece of work and that she'd blow harder at home. She has Guineas entries and I was really worried she wouldn't stay the mile, but the way she won that you'd have to go for the Guineas. I was hoping that she'd bulk up a bit more over the winter, but when we put her back into work she's back at her racing weight. She's a laid-back filly, she just eats and sleeps and goes in the paddock. She's so uncomplicated to deal with. Well done to [owner] Joanne [Lavery] because it was such a brave move to hang on to her. I'm so lucky to have her and everybody at home has done a great job. Although it looks like she's done that really easy, she puts an awful lot more in than you think and I'll see how she comes out of it. She handles Newmarket, we know that from running last year in the Cheveley Park, but my gut would say the Irish Guineas as she won't do two. I'll discuss it with Joanne, but she'll make the decision for me.”
   Lady Kaya becomes the first stakes winner from nine runners for Kayak (GB) (Singspiel {Ire}), herself third in the Listed Premio Alberto Zanoletti di Rozzano and one of three stakes performers bred from Kelang (GB) (Kris {GB}), including Listed Premio Baggio victrix Bukat Timah (GB) (Inchinor {GB}). Lady Kaya traces back to Chandelle (Swaps), a half-sister to leading sire Prince Taj (Fr) (Prince Bio {Fr}) and most notably the ancestress of MG1SW English Fillies' Triple Crown heroine and champion Oh So Sharp (Ire) (Kris {GB}), who in turn produced G1 Prix Saint-Alary victrix Rosefinch (Blushing Groom {Fr}). Kayak has a 2-year-old colt by Excelebration (Ire) and a yearling colt by Camacho (GB) to come.

Saturday, Leopardstown, Ireland
BALLYLINCH STUD 'PRIORY BELLE' 1000 GUINEAS TRIAL S.-G3, €65,000, Leopardstown, 4-6, 3yo, f, 7fT, 1:31.14, sf.
1–LADY KAYA (IRE), 126, f, 3, by Dandy Man (Ire)
1st Dam: Kayak (GB) (SP-Ity), by Singspiel (Ire)
2nd Dam: Kelang (GB), by Kris (GB)
3rd Dam: Ebbing Tide, by His Majesty
1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN; 1ST GROUP WIN. (€15,000 Wlg '16 GOFNOV; €12,000 RNA Ylg '17 TIRSEP). O-Joanne Lavery; B-John O'Connor (IRE); T-Sheila Lavery; J-Robbie Colgan. €38,350. Lifetime Record: G1SP-Ire, 6-2-1-1, $154,003. Werk Nick Rating: B+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Happen, 126, f, 3, War Front">War Front–Alexandrova (Ire), by Sadler's Wells. O-Susan Magnier, Michael Tabor & Derrick Smith; B-Orpendale/Chelston/Wynatt (KY); T-Aidan O'Brien. €13,000.
3–Iridessa (Ire), 129, f, 3, Ruler of the World (Ire)–Senta's Dream (GB), by Danehill. O-Mrs Chantal Regalado-Gonzalez; B-Whisperview Trading Ltd (IRE); T-Joseph O'Brien. €6,500.
Margins: 2 1/4, HD, HF. Odds: 2.75, 16.00, 5.00.
Also Ran: Zagitova (Ire), Secret Thoughts, Chicas Amigas (Ire), Elleanthus (Ire), Rainbow Moonstone (Ire), Harriet's Force (Ire), Fire Fly (Ire), Viadera (GB), Black Magic Woman (Ire), I Remember You (Ire), Operatic Export (Ire). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.