Caught You Looking Ready for Blacktype Success
Three-year-old filly Caught You Looking, trained by Noel Meade, is set to make a quick return to the racetrack in today’s feature race at Gowran Park. Just six days ago, she put in a commendable fourth-place finish in the Group 2 Moyglare “Jewels” Blandford Stakes at the Curragh. Despite the short turnaround, Meade is confident in his filly’s abilities and is optimistic about her chances in the Group 3 Denny Cordell Lavarack & Lanwades Stud Fillies & Mares Stakes.
Having already tasted success at the Group 3 level as a two-year-old and finishing fifth in prestigious races like the Epsom and Irish Oaks, Caught You Looking is no stranger to tough competition. Jockey Colin Keane will be in the saddle for today’s race, and Meade believes that the drop in class will work in their favor. “It’s a bit of a quick return, but she’s come out of the race well last week, and it’s a step down in class. I’m hoping for the best,” Meade shared.
Reflecting on Caught You Looking’s performance in the Blandford Stakes, Meade noted, “She ran the exact same race she ran her last couple of runs. She seems to be very genuine, and that seems to be just about our level. These kind of races are running out, so we said we’d roll the dice again.” With Meade’s confidence in his filly’s abilities and Keane’s skill in the saddle, Caught You Looking is poised for a strong showing at Gowran Park.
Meade’s Plans for Listowel Festival
Looking ahead to the upcoming Listowel Festival, Noel Meade has a host of entries lined up, but one notable absence will be Galway Plate victor Pinkerton. Meade revealed that Pinkerton had suffered a minor injury to his hind leg following his Galway triumph, requiring a month of rest for recovery. While Pinkerton is now back in good health, Meade stated that it will still be some time before the gelding is ready to return to racing.
Despite Pinkerton’s absence, Meade remains optimistic about his string of entries at the Listowel Festival. With a strong team of horses under his care, the trainer is gearing up for a successful campaign at the prestigious racing event. As Meade continues to fine-tune his runners for the challenges ahead, racing fans can expect to see competitive performances from his stable at Listowel.
10-Year Anniversary of Dermot Weld and Pat Smullen’s Victory
The upcoming race at Gowran Park holds special significance as it marks the 10-year anniversary of Dermot Weld and Pat Smullen’s triumph with Juddmonte home-bred Brooch. This victory was a milestone for both trainer and jockey, with Weld securing his 15th group winner and Smullen notching his 100th success of the season.
Brooch’s win at Gowran Park propelled her unbeaten record to three wins from three starts, setting the stage for further success in the Group 2 Lanwades Stud Stakes the following spring. The legacy of Brooch’s victory lives on, inspiring connections like the Aga Khan to aim for similar glory with their own runners.
One such contender in the upcoming race is Azada, a daughter of Siyouni who has shown promise in her early career. With a winning debut at Leopardstown and a commendable sixth-place finish in the Tattersalls Irish 1000 Guineas, Azada has already proven her ability to compete at a high level. As she takes on more experienced rivals in today’s race, Azada will look to build on her previous performances and stake her claim for blacktype success.
Overall, the racing action at Gowran Park promises excitement and drama as top contenders vie for victory in prestigious stakes races. With trainers like Noel Meade and Dermot Weld fielding strong contenders, fans can expect thrilling competitions and memorable performances on the track.
