Starspangledbanner Filly Lands Listed Win At Tipperary

Grande Marques (3f Starspangledbanner - Medicean Star, by Galileo) claimed a first stakes success with victory in the Listed Abergwaun Stakes at Tipperary on Sunday.

The Fozzy Stack-trained daughter of Starspangledbanner was Group-placed as a juvenile last year and was following on from some promising efforts in black-type company this season.

Under Seamie Heffernan, the filly was quick to take the lead and she showed plenty in the closing stages of the five-furlong contest to score by half-a-length.

Stack said: “She had been knocking on the door in those races and I brought her to England about 25 times but she then goes and wins close to home!

"She had the right draw today and was able to get to the stands' side rail, which was a big help. Nothing really bothered her in front and he [Heffernan] was able to sit until a furlong-and-a-half down. Everything worked in her favour.

"If they all did what she did, a Listed winner and Group 3-placed, we'd be alright and today's race was a win-and-you're-in for the [Group 1] Flying Five Stakes. We have nothing to lose and all those sprinters seem to be beating each other this year."

Grande Marques is a homebred for M A Begley.