Winning debut for Straight Answer

Ger Lyons-trained two-year-old Straight Answer produced a smart winning debut in the Irish EBF Maiden race at the Curragh on Saturday.

Taken from the Thoroughbred Daily News, 22nd August 2021:

Breaking smartly and racing under a firm grip in a prominent third initially, the 15-8 favourite slipped to sixth when angled to the centre of the track at halfway and soon had matters in hand when swooping for control at the quarter-mile marker, keeping on powerfully under late urging to easily hold Rhea Moon by  a length-and-a-quarter in a 'TDN Rising Star' performance.

"We always liked him, he's a big horse and it's all about next year with him so this is a bonus,' said assistant trainer Shane Lyons. "When we got him we were thinking the back end of the year, but he's always shown us something. He has a big stride on him and he'll prefer better ground than that [soft going]. He did that on his own, it was a genuine performance and he'll improve from it. He was doing what we've seen at home, he was very relaxed today and took it all in. We'll get him home and make a plan now."

Straight Answer becomes the second winner from four foals and three runners for Gr.3 Prix du Calvados, Gr.3 Prix d'Aumale and Gr.3 Prix de la Grotte placegetter Straight Thinking (Mizzen Mast). His dam is kin to Gr.1 Prix Jean Romanet heroine Announce and Gr.3 Prix de la Grotte victrix and Gr.1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches third Mexican Gold. His Listed Prix de la Calonne-winning third dam Choice Spirit is a half-sister to the brillant Gr.1 Dewhurst Stakes victor and record-breaking Gr.1 2000 Guineas hero Zafonic and his Gr.3 Prix de Cabourg-winning full-brother Zamindar. Straight Thinking has a yearling colt by Oasis Dream to come.