3 minute read
Happy Romance lands Dick Poole
The Richard Hannon-trained Happy Romance (2 f ex Rugged Up by Marju) continued on her upward trajectory when she landed the Dick Poole Fillies’ Stakes (Gr 3, 6f) at Salisbury on Thursday and in the process handed Ballyhane-based sire Dandy Man (Mozart) with his 15th stakes winner.
The filly came into the race off the back of two previous victories and she added valuable black-type to her record when beating Alcohol Free (No Nay Never) three-quarters of a length, while Scarlet Bear (Kodi Bear) finished another two lengths adrift in third.
"She has been an amazing filly all year and has done that very well,” said Hannon. “By Sean's [Levey] own admission he thinks he got there a little too soon as she picks up so quick.
"She is very quick and very good. She will have no problem going further and she will get it, as she has no problems relaxing.
"The owners have had a ball, but they've not come into the winner's enclosure once the poor people.
"I took her out of Goodwood (last weekend) because of the ground, as she was going a furlong further there This was a nice spot for her just up the road and she has won very well."
Hannon said the filly will now be set for the Cheveley Park Stakes (Gr 1, 6f).
"We will probably go straight for the Cheveley Park now,” said Hannon. “She is a proper filly. She has won the money and she has now won the black type. They are having a ball."
Purchased by Peter and Ross Doyle for £25,000 2019 Goffs UK Doncaster Premier Yearling Sales, the filly is one of four winners of the unraced Marju (Last Tycoon) mare Rugged Up.
Rugged Up herself is a half-sister Japanese Grade 3 winner Meiner Eternal (Tamayuz) and Listed winner Warsaw (Danehill Dancer).
The filly’s third dam Silca-Cisa (Hallgate), who produced Prix Morny (Gr 1, 1200m) Silca’s Sister (Inchinor), Listed winner Green Manalishi (Green Desert) and dual Group 2 winner Golden Silca (Inchinor) - the dam of Group 3 winner Calipatria (Shamardal).
Dandy Man stood the 2020 season for a fee of €15,000.
What a filly!
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) September 3, 2020
Happy Romance - a stellar campaign continues as she supplements two huge sales race victories with Group 3 success in the Shadwell Dick Poole for @rhannonracing @salisburyraces
Results & free replays https://t.co/GI57hUtDeF pic.twitter.com/lbMZvXaokE
