Super Saturday Stakes Double For Camelot

Lady Wannabe (3f Camelot - Wannabe Better, by Duke Of Marmalade) completed the first leg of a Saturday Stakes double for Camelot when justifying favoritism in the Listed Vincent O’Brien Ruby Stakes at Killarney.

It was a sweet success for the Fozzy Stack-trained filly, having been beaten narrowly over course and distance in another Listed contest last time out. Chris Hayes rode the bay close to the pace, travelling well into the straight and improved to lead after the two furlong pole. Staying on well, she scored by a length and three quarters in comfortable fashion.

Speaking after the race, Fozzy Stack said, “Lady Wannabe is improving, her dam improved with age. She travelled well and picked up well, she stays ten furlongs too, so that gives her a few more options.”

Lady Wannabe shares the improving nature, same connections and a particular success with her dam, Wannabe Better, who recorded two black-type victories at three, including in the above Ruby Stakes, and went on to win a Group 3 as a four-year-old.

Owned by Mrs Gaffney and Mrs Barbara Murphy, Lady Wannabe was bred by Churchtown House Stud, who offer a Galileo half-sister at the Tattersalls Book 1 Sale. At the same sale last year, they sold another Galileo half-sister for 1,200,000gns to Cheveley Park Stud.

Later that afternoon, Alounak (4c Camelot - Awe Struck, by Rail Link) rallied to gain a third Stakes success when taking the Group 3 Preis Der Sparkassen Finanzgruppe.

Racing over ten furlongs, the bay chased the leaders under Clement Lecoeuvre and was pushed along from over two furlongs out, staying on well to deny Be My Sheriff close home.

Trained by Waldemar Hickst for Darius Racing, Alounak cost €120,000 as a yearling from Grove Stud. He was bred by Framont Limited and SCEA Des Prairies out of Awe Struck, an unraced half-sister to Group 1 winner Emulous.

Camelot commands €40,000 at Coolmore Stud.