"She's just a pleasure to train" - Lyons to unleash star filly Babouche at Newmarket
Ger Lyons expresses confidence in Babouche as the filly gears up for her British debut in the Cheveley Park Stakes. Babouche has already made a strong impression with significant wins in Cork and the Phoenix Stakes. Lyons highlights her straightforward temperament and hints at potential future successes. Colin Keane is set to ride Babouche and later partner with This Songisforyou in the Cambridgeshire, both of which have garnered considerable betting interest.
- Ger Lyons praises Babouche ahead of Cheveley Park Stakes debut
- Babouche boasts impressive wins in Cork and Phoenix Stakes
- Colin Keane to ride Babouche and later partner with This Songisforyou in the Cambridgeshire
Ger Lyons has spoken highly of Babouche in the build-up to her British debut in Saturday's Cheveley Park Stakes.
A deluge of cash arrived for Lyon's newcomer ahead of her debut at Cork in June and Babouche rewarded her backers with a sparkling five-length victory. Colin Keane's mount then took down Camille Pissarro to land the Anglesey Stakes, setting up a tilt at the Keeneland Phoenix Stakes.
Whistlejacket carried an odds-on price into that Group One and started quickly under Ryan Moore. Keane was happy to track the favourite in the early stages and once Babouche was asked for an effort she put the race to bed nicely, beating Whistlejacket by a length-and-a-half to claim her first Group One.
"It's funny, I was more nervous for the Anglesey than I was for the Phoenix Stakes." Ger Lyons said to Racing TV. "Only because she went asleep after Cork, so we were sort of shooting blind going into the Anglesey. She's learning on the job."
"Colin (Keane) said after the Phoenix that there's no rush to step her up in trip. I'm happy with that. I don't think she's have any trouble getting seven, but the Cheveley Park is where we'll be going."
Whistlejacket has since franked the form of the Phoenix Stakes by winning the Prix Morny, and he'll carry a short price into the Middle Park Stakes on Saturday. Babouche, meanwhile, will take on another unbeaten filly in the form of Moyglare winner Lake Victoria, but Lyons doesn't seem phased by that prospect.
"She's just been very straightforward from day one." Lyons said to Racing TV. "We knew very early in the year that we had one. What 'one" meant, we wouldn't know until we ran her. Until you run them you never know."
"It's good that when you do get one, you score with them. She's just a pleasure to train and I think her biggest strength is her temperament."
After what he's hoping will be a winning ride aboard Babouche in the Cheveley Park Stakes, Colin Keane will partner with This Songisforyou in the Cambridgeshire. We put Emmet Mullins' raider up at 16/1 for this heritage handicap on Saturday. Keane's mount is now as short as 8/1 in some places, and the bookmakers are anticipating more money to arrive for This Songisforyou.
Latest Cheveley Park Stakes Betting with bet365
11/8 Babouche, 5/2 Lake Victoria, 10/1 Daylight, Truly Enchanting, 12/1 Bar
Latest Middle Park Stakes Betting with bet365
Evens Whistlejacket, 3/1 Ides Of March, 13/2 Shadow Of Light, 10/1 Black Forza, 16/1 Bar
Latest Cambridgeshire Betting with bet365
7/1 Roi De France, 8/1 This Songisforyou, 10/1 Balmacara, Godwinson, 12/1 Silver Sword, 14/1 Bopedro, Liberty Lane, 16/1 bar
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