La Collina to try her luck in the Etihad Airways Irish 1,000 Guineas at Curragh
La Collina, daughter of Strategic Prince, out of mare Starfish, will compete in the Group 1 Etihad Airways Irish 1,000 Guineas on 27th May, 2012, at the Curragh, where she would aim to take home the prize over the 1 mile course.
Trained by Kevin Prendergast, the young filly is in good form and can definitely improve in this race.
La Collina’s performance in the Group 1 Qipco 1,000 Guineas Stakes (British Champions Series) at Newmarket was respectable under the command of jockey, D.P. McDonogh, she finished fifth.
The trainer was pleased with the way she performed because he said that the good to soft surface of the track did not suit her as she prefers running on a dry surface but despite that, she did well.
The three-year-old filly began her career on 11th June, 2011, and immediately gained attention by sealing the victory over, Mahaazen, by 1 ¾ lengths in the Irish Stallion Farm European Breeders Fund 2yo Fillies Median Auction
Maiden at Limerick.
Over the course of her short career, she has competed in five starts, where she has triumphed twice, and finished as a runner-up twice.
The Joerg Vasicek owned runner competed in a Group 1 event at the age of two and notched the victory in the Keeneland Phoenix Stakes at Curragh in a magnificent manner. She defeated race favourite, Power, by a marginal difference of a neck on 7th August,
2011.
The trainer has high hopes for her in this race as he commented that:
"She didn't grow very much but she's very solid and took the race at Newmarket very well.
"The drying ground - it should be good by Sunday - should suit her well.
"Newmarket was a little bit messy for her. She needs it fast so under the circumstance she ran well.
"I think she could step up in trip. An Irish Oaks winner is in the family so that could be an influence. She's got a high rating, so we'll see on Sunday if she can run up to it."
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