La Petite Coco Runs Down Love in Blandford Stakes
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Photo: Patrick McCann/Racing Post
La Petite Coco (right) runs down Love to win the Blandford Stakes at the Curragh
If at first you don't succeed, try, try again.
Paddy Twomey surely left Leopardstown frustrated after two near misses with his runners on day one of Longines Irish Champions Weekend, but his only other runner of the weekend counted as La Petite Coco reeled in Love to land a gripping Moyglare Jewels Blandford Stakes (G2) Sept. 12 at the Curragh.
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Capping what has already been an extremely fruitful campaign for the shrewd trainer, the Team Valor-owned filly showed all her toughness in getting the better of the older and more experienced dual classic heroine in a photo.
Billy Lee had to be at his strongest aboard the 16-5 shot to edge out Love, needing every yard of the 1 1/4 miles after winning over 1 1/2 miles at Cork previously.
La Petite Coco (outside) defeats Love to win the Blandford Stakes at The Curragh
"My office is the tractor and I was sitting looking at the phone on Friday morning scratching my head when I saw Love declared," said 42-year-old winning trainer Twomey, who thought his talented 3-year-old was beaten immediately after she flashed past the post.
"I didn't expect to see her and there might have been an expletive! When I make a plan I tend to stick to it and wasn't going to waver. Team Valor's Barry Irwin was quite cross with me when he saw Love declared. I got a lecture about what I was thinking, but I told him I thought she was good enough."
Aidan O'Brien is still eyeing a tilt at the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (G1) for the beaten 6-5 favorite, provided the ground is sufficiently good.
"She ran a great race, we are delighted with her," he said.
"She has done everything right, but got left in front a little bit long and was a little bit lazy when she got there, although we wouldn't take from the winner in any way."
O'Brien added: "She came here with the view that, if the Arc came up good, she would go there. That was the reason for running here. As a prep for the Arc, if she ends up going there, we're delighted."
As for La Petite Coco, Twomey is considering the QIPCO British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes (G1) at Ascot next month. Paddy Power make her a 9-2 chance from 12-1 for the group 1.