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SAHorseracing.com
Precise Turns Tables in Irish 1000 Guineas

Precise turned the tables on her Newmarket effort with a decisive performance in the Irish 1,000 Guineas at the Curragh, quickening clear late to defeat the heavily supported True Love and hand trainer Aidan O'Brien another Classic success.

The 4-1 filly arrived at the Curragh after finishing seventh in the Newmarket equivalent, but this was a markedly sharper display. Positioned off the strong tempo set by Abashiri, she travelled comfortably before producing a decisive burst inside the closing stages to settle the race by two and a half lengths.

Favourite True Love, sent off at 4-6, raced prominently through the early exchanges but could not match the winner’s acceleration when the race developed in the final furlong.

The result completed a notable Guineas double for jockey Wayne Lordan, who had partnered True Love to victory in the Newmarket 1,000 Guineas earlier in the season.

O'Brien indicated afterward that connections had expected improvement from Precise following her Newmarket run, where circumstances during the race compromised her finishing effort.

“Delighted and she really stepped forward and Wayne gave her a beautiful ride,” O'Brien told RTE Sport, underlining the significance of the filly’s progression between the two Classics.

The Ballydoyle trainer also pointed to the tactical shape of the Newmarket race as an important factor in her defeat there.

“In Newmarket Ryan [Moore] rode her, and she was on the wrong side, and he had to move early as his side was behind, but he did move. She got a little bit tired and Ryan looked after the last half a furlong.”

O'Brien added that confidence in the filly had grown considerably at home leading into the Curragh assignment, a detail that now looks particularly significant given the authority of the performance.

“There was a chance that was going to happen but Rodger, who is riding her every day at home, said this morning that this is a different filly than going to Newmarket.

“Obviously she showed that there, but Wayne gave her a beautiful ride so we are over the moon.”

After a below-par Newmarket run raised questions, Precise answered them emphatically at the Curragh, emerging from the Irish Classic picture as a filly with renewed momentum for the remainder of the season.

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