Spirit Gal

Spirit Gal was impressive in winning the Listed Star Appeal Stakes at Dundalk on Friday.  The step up to seven furlongs was an unknown for Willie Browne’s filly, and she had shown so much pace in winning over six furlongs at Naas on her previous run that it was not certain that the addition of a seventh furlong would be a positive for her, but she saw it out really well.

Seamie Heffernan rode her as if he had no worries about the distance.  He sent her to the front from flagfall, as he had at Naas over the shorter trip.  She was quickly into her rhythm in front, her rider dictating the pace to suit his filly.  She led into the home straight and, when her rider gave her a squeeze as they raced to the furlong marker, she picked up well and she was strong all the way to the line, coming over two lengths clear of impressive maiden winner Cairo, who was in turn three lengths clear of the Chesham Stakes runner-up Pearling Path.

It was a strong performance by Willie Browne’s filly, a first runner in a black-type race for her trainer, and the form is solid.  It opens up options for her too, she showed lots of pace again, but she went to the line so strongly that you couldn’t rule out the possibility that she will get a mile too.  She is out of a Galileo mare, a half-sister to a stakes winner over an extended mile on dirt, and she is an exciting prospect.

Dundalk, 30th September 2022