Wendla

There was an awful lot to like about the performance that Wendla put up in winning the opening three-year-olds’ maiden at Naas last Sunday. Always travelling well just behind the pace, it looked like she might be short of the space that she would need in order to deliver her challenge as they raced inside the two-furlong marker. Colin Keane eased her towards the outside behind horses however, obviously confident that his filly had the energy that would allow her go forward after ceding first run in order to get into the clear. Once there, he asked his filly to pick up, and she responded impressively. She picked up willingly on the near side, hit the front 150 yards out and powered up the hill to win by two and a half lengths.

This was a lovely performance by Ger Lyons’ filly on her seasonal debut. She was beaten on her second and final run last season after shaping encouragingly on her racecourse debut, but this was much more like it. She is supremely well bred, out of multiple Grade 1 winner Intercontinental and from that excellent Juddmonte family that includes Dansili and Banks Hill and Cacique and Champs Elysees. This maiden has been won in the past by Irish Guineas winner Empress Josephine, Oaks and Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf winner Tuesday, and last year by Group 3 winner and Prix de l’Opera runner-up Jackie Oh, and there is no knowing how high Wendla can go now.
Naas, 24^th March 2024