Empire strikes for Jessica Harrington – with the promise of Group races to come
Saturday: Naas
Those on the lookout for two-year-olds to follow would do well to study the action on this card, as several juveniles made tentative steps at making a name for themselves.
Principal among them was the Jessica Harrington-trained Keepupwithmyempire, who won impressively in the conditions race over 6f.
In the hands of Shane Foley, he quickened past warm favourite Victoria Road inside the last furlong and came clear up the hill to win by four lengths.
Assistant trainer and daughter Kate Harrington said: "The ground probably was not ideal for him. It was plenty on the soft side but he did it well and he'll improve for nicer ground. He's a lovely horse and stepped forward from his first run here.
"He has an entry in the Ballyhane Stakes [worth €300,000] here at the beginning of August, so he might go straight there and hopefully step into Group company after that."
Wow! Mauie
Ger Lyons wouldn't normally mention Group 1 targets for a maiden winner, but he was clearly taken with the performance of newcomer Mauiewowie.
Under Colin Keane, she quickened decisively inside the last furlong to go away from the experienced odds-on favourite Silmaniya and was not flattered by the winning margin of two and a quarter lengths.
"To be honest, I wasn't surprised," said the trainer. "We have always liked her. I was actually contemplating starting her in a stakes race. Let's hope she rocks on now to be a Cheveley Park Stakes filly in time – or something like that."
O'Leary double
Curragh trainer Ger O'Leary is currently at Wimbledon with his family and should be able to afford a few more bowls of strawberries and cream after carding a double.
Dylan Browne McMonagle was seen to good effect when partnering the Sean Dalton-owned Born Invincible to success in the second division of the apprentice sprint handicap, but that was outdone by the performance of topweight Pretty Rebel in the valuable fillies' handicap.
She provided Keane with the second leg of his double as she kept on strongly to beat Sister Lola by two and a quarter lengths.
Assistant trainer Adrian Joyce said: "We really fancied her today and she did it well. She has a lot of ability but she is ground-dependent. We might target a Listed fillies' race with her; she's entitled to do that now."
Sign up here. New customers only. First single and each-way bet only. 5p minimum stake. 3 x £10 bet tokens. Free bet stakes not included in returns. Free bets exclude virtuals. Free bets are non-withdrawable. No free bet expiry. Eligibility restrictions and further T&Cs apply. 18+. begambleaware.org
Published on 2 July 2022inReports
Last updated 19:31, 2 July 2022
- 'I did say to Roger she would win the Guineas' - the pro punter who predicted Elmalka's triumph in November
- Sligo: Belhaven flashes home to land feature under Dylan Browne McMonagle for the in-form Joseph O'Brien team
- 'I'd like to be happy but it's hard' - David Menuisier frustrated as Tamfana finishes a luckless fourth in 1,000 Guineas
- Hamilton: 'He's never run a bad race there' - course specialist Arkenstaar extends track record for Michael Dods
- Salisbury: 'She’ll hopefully have some nice targets this year' - Ollie Sangster eyes strong season for Running Queen
- 'I did say to Roger she would win the Guineas' - the pro punter who predicted Elmalka's triumph in November
- Sligo: Belhaven flashes home to land feature under Dylan Browne McMonagle for the in-form Joseph O'Brien team
- 'I'd like to be happy but it's hard' - David Menuisier frustrated as Tamfana finishes a luckless fourth in 1,000 Guineas
- Hamilton: 'He's never run a bad race there' - course specialist Arkenstaar extends track record for Michael Dods
- Salisbury: 'She’ll hopefully have some nice targets this year' - Ollie Sangster eyes strong season for Running Queen