Following the exploits of Minding (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), Seventh Heaven (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and Best In the World (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), Somehow became the latest group-winning 3-year-old filly to strengthen Aidan O'Brien's hand entering the autumn. After winning the Listed Cheshire Oaks over an extended 11 furlongs May 4, the bay was a distant fourth after carving out the early pace in the June 3 G1 Epsom Oaks and fifth in the Irish equivalent sporting cheekpieces at this venue July 16. That headgear came off and a visor went on instead when she was runner-up to Best In the World in the G3 Give Thanks S. remaining at 12 furlongs at Cork last time Aug. 2 and it stayed on here as she was tackling the shortest trip since her winning debut last term. Missing the break before recovering to race worse than mid-division on the outer, she was cajoled into action by Seamie Heffernan on the home turn and responded by sweeping to the front with 1 1/2 furlongs to race. Surging clear soon after, she was in a league of her own as she left a fair yardstick in the G3 Princess Elizabeth S. winner Epsom Icon trailing. “Fastnet Rock's get quicker and stronger as they get older and Seamus said not to be afraid to go back to a mile for the [G1] Matron [S. at Leopardstown Sept. 10] now,” her trainer commented. “She's making great physical progress with every week.”
Sunday, Curragh, Ireland
SNOW FAIRY FILLIES S.-G3, €65,000, CUR, 8-28, 3yo/up, f, 9fT, 1:53.01, gd.
1–@SOMEHOW (IRE), 126, f, 3, by Fastnet Rock (Aus)
1st Dam: Alexandrova (Ire) (Hwt. 3-year-old Filly-Ire at 9.5-10.5f & 11-13f, MG1SW-Eng, G1SW-Ire & G1SP-Fr, $1,210,034), by Sadler's Wells
2nd Dam: Shouk (GB), by Shirley Heights (GB)
3rd Dam: Souk (Ire), by Ahonoora (GB)
O-Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith & Susan Magnier; B-Orpendale, Chelston & Wynatt (IRE); T-Aidan O'Brien; J-Seamus Heffernan. €38,350. Lifetime Record: SW-Eng, 7-3-1-1, $165,633. *1/2 to Alex My Boy (Ire) (Dalakhani {Ire}), Hwt. Older Horse-Ger at 14f+, MGSW-Fr, GSP-Ger & SP-Eng, $239,416.
2–Epsom Icon (GB), 129, f, 3, Sixties Icon (GB)–Hairspray (GB), by Bahamian Bounty (GB). (9,500gns RNA Ylg '14 TATYEA). O-Epsom Stars Racing I; B-Norman Court Stud (GB); T-Mick Channon. €13,000.
3–Skiffle (GB), 126, f, 3, Dubawi (Ire)–Princesse Dansante (Ire), by King's Best. O-Godolphin; B-Darley (GB); T-Charlie Appleby. €6,500.
Margins: 7, HF, 2 3/4. Odds: 2.50, 10.00, 2.25.
Also Ran: Molly Dolly (Ire), Radiantly (GB), Duchess Andorra (Ire), Lily's Rainbow (Ire), Planchart, Adool (Ire). Scratched: Dolce Strega (Ire). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.
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