Aga Khan Studs have been having an outstanding year with their homebreds and produced a new stakes-winner overnight when lightly raced Sea the Stars filly Hanalia scored a stylish victory in the Listed Naas Oaks Trial (1m2 ½ f).
Having just her third race start, the Johnny Murtagh trained filly was fourth on debut last month before breaking her maiden at the Curragh and took a big step forward here beating a couple of fillies heading towards the Irish Oaks including the big flashy Justify filly Greenfinch in third place.
“She's not big, but has a good turn of foot when she relaxes early and it worked out very well today,” said Johnny Murtagh.
“Ben said he loved the way she hit the line and she was tough as well. He said he wouldn't go a mile-and-a-half just yet, but maybe later.
“A mile-and-a-quarter is good for her at the moment. I entered her this morning in a G3 over a mile-and-one at the Curragh in three weeks' time. I'd definitely bring her back to a mile-and-one rather than going a mile-and-a-half at this stage.”
Hanalia is a half-sister to a pair of Group winners in Hunaina and Hamariyna ans I the third stakes-winner among five winners from Hanakiyya, who comes from the family of Epsom Derby winner Harzand and Irish Derby winner Hurricane Lane.
She is the 125th stakes-winner for Sea the Stars and is his third stakes-winner from a daughter of Danehill Dancer. The nick has produced 17 winners from 20 starters so 85% winner to runner.
