2nd-ASC, £15,000, Cond, 4-27, 3yo, f, 8fT, 1:45.33, g/s.
DAWN OF HOPE (IRE) (f, 3, Mastercraftsman {Ire}–Sweet Firebird {Ire} {GSP-Ire}, by Sadler's Wells), who was last seen finishing sixth behind Minding (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and Nathra (Ire) (Iffraaj {GB}) in the G1 Fillies' Mile at Newmarket in October, was sent off the 15-8 favourite and followed the pace closely in second. Sent into a slight lead with two furlongs remaining, the €220,000 GOFORB yearling was pushed out with mainly hands and heels to secure a 1 1/4-length success from Raaqy (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}). “She's a lovely filly and I think she'll stay further than a mile,” trainer Roger Varian said of the flashy chestnut. “She loves the track and likes to get her toe in the ground. She deserves a crack at one of those Oaks trials over 10 furlongs later in May, but Epsom on fast ground would be a concern. Her long-term targets are very much up in the air.” Sweet Firebird is just one smart product of the Beverly D. heroine Fire the Groom alongside the brilliant sprinter Stravinsky and GISP Moscow Ballet (Ire) (Sadler's Wells). From the extended family of Royal and Regal and Regal and Royal, she has a 2-year-old filly by Lawman (Fr) and a yearling colt by Iffraaj (GB) to come. Lifetime Record: 4-2-0-1, $36,515. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.
O-Saleh Al Homaizi & Imad Al Sagar; B-Gerrardstown House Stud (IRE); T-Roger Varian.
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