Perfect News takes the Ballyogan

Frankel filly Perfect News brought yet more joy to the William Haggas stable with a hard fought win in the Gr.3 Ballyogan Stakes at Naas.

Taken from the Thoroughbred Daily News, 22nd August 2022, by Tom Frary:

Third in the Gr.3 Oh So Sharp Stakes at Newmarket in October and fourth behind Cachet in the Gr.3 Nell Gwyn Stakes at Newmarket, Sheikh Rashid Dalmook Al Maktoum's homebred may have needed her first try at this six-furlong trip when coming off worse in a tussle with Rozgar last time, but was sharper here to register a career-best.

Content to track the pace in a small group racing towards the stand's rail early, the daughter of the Gr.2 Lowther Stakes winner Besharah was wound up by Chris Hayes to gain the advantage passing the furlong pole and outstay her rivals to score by half a length from compatriot Benefit.

"I spoke to Mr Haggas this morning and he said to me that the ground is what it is, she'll handle it, but she won't be as effective as she would with an ease," the rider said. "I didn't feel they went over quick, but I was just at the pin of my collar for the first two furlongs. Going past the junction of the courses at halfway, she leapt onto the bridle. She toughed it out well, is an improving filly and that was important blacktype."

Perfect News is the second foal out of Besharah, who also captured the Gr.3 Princess Margaret Stakes and was third in the Gr.1 Cheveley Park Stakes and Gr.2 Queen Mary Stakes. She is a granddaughter of the Gr.3 Mint Julep Handicap scorer Kiss The Devil, whose three stakes winners are headed by Kiss Moon who emulated her dam's success in that race.