EIRENE resumed winning ways this afternoon at Chelmsford when comfortably landing the valuable Conditions race over seven furlongs under Robert Winston.
There may have only been three runners for the race, following the withdrawal of Inshiraah shortly before the start but it was a quality contest with Eirene rated 101, the favourite, Rock On Baileys on 103 and the outsider of the party, Hells Babe on a mark of 92.
The 3yo daughter of Declaration Of War tracked her rivals as the trio raced in Indian file. Always travelling well, she challenged two furlongs from home, hit the front one out and pressed the advantage home in authoritative fashion 100 yards from the finish, winning from Hells Babe by 1 1/2 lengths.
Winner of two of her previous ten starts on the turf, Eirene was running on the all-weather for the first time and it clearly suited her. She ran well when third in the Group Three Nell Gwyn on her seasonal reappearance but has struggled since in the Jersey Stakes and the Stewards’ Cup when faced with unsuitable fast ground.
Congratulations to owner, Michael Yarrow who confirmed the 11/10 second favourite’s liking for soft ground: “Eirene has had a difficult year because the ground has been so firm, she needs soft ground. We tried the all-weather for the first time which has paid dividends.”
The filly is in the Ayr Gold Cup and hopefully during the autumn there will be some opportunities for her as ground conditions are likely to err more in her favour. If not, she should be capable of adding to her first all-weather success.
The stable has been relatively quiet with winners and indeed runners during recent weeks with the ground still so quick at many meetings. However, Eirene’s win follows Flaming Spear’s big handicap win last Saturday and is the yard’s 28th winner of the campaign.