Lokada

Lokada out-ran her rating and her odds in finishing second behind her stable companion Twilight Jet in the Listed Abergwaun Stakes at Tipperary last Sunday. Slowly away from stall 10, closest to the stands rail, Michael O’Callaghan’s filly was stone last early on, and she was still last as they passed the two-furlong marker. Switched towards the far side by Colin Keane at that point, she travelled into her race well and she kept on strongly through the final furlong to get up and take second place, just a neck behind the winner.

It was a race in which the pace held up well, the winner was handy from early, and the third horse, Dun Na Sead, led from flagfall until she was passed deep inside the final furlong. This was Lokada’s first run since she finished down the field in the Rockingham Handicap at The Curragh on Irish Derby weekend. It was also her first run in a hood, an eyeshield and blinkers. The tongue-tie that she has worn in the past was dispensed with, and this was probably a career-best performance, so it wouldn’t be a surprise if this combination of headgear was retained for her next run. She goes well on easy ground, an easy-ground five furlongs looks close to optimal for her, so she will remain of interest as we move into the autumn.

Tipperary, 3^rd September 2023