Game Perfect News rounds off fine week for Haggas with Group 3 win

Sunday: Naas

Perfect News rounded off a fine week for Baaeed's trainer William Haggas when battling her way to a narrow victory in the feature Group 3 Tally-Ho Stud Irish EBF Ballyogan Stakes.

She had no trouble on this quick surface as she pounced late under Chris Hayes and ran on resolutely up the hill to hold off fellow British raider Benefit by half a length. The latter was short of room over a furlong out and that possibly cost her victory.

Hayes said: "That was nice. I spoke to Mr Haggas this morning and he said she would handle the ground but wouldn't be as effective as she would with an ease.

"I didn't feel they went overly quick but I was at the pin of my collar for the first couple of furlongs. However, past halfway she leapt back into the bridle.

"She toughed it out well. She's an improving filly and that's some important black type for her."

Winemaker shock

Curragh trainer Jimmy Coogan caused the surprise of the afternoon when saddling 100-1 shot Winemaker to a debut success in the 6f auction maiden.

The gelding overcame what was considered an unfavourable draw in stall 15 to land the race under Gavin Ryan.

Winemaker picked up well on the climb to the line to beat fellow newcomer Mount Mary by half a length.

The winner is a son of the ex-John Gosden-trained Johnny Barnes, a Group 3 winner at Deauville who is now standing at stud in France. Winemaker was bought for €12,000 out of a sale in Deauville in late June.

Coogan said: "I thought he would run well. I didn't expect him to win but I thought and hoped we might be placed.

"He had shown us a bit at home. The owner, Diego Dias, is a man that sells, so I imagine he will be sold now."

Girl defies draw

At the last couple of meetings here there was a distinct bias towards horses drawn low on the sprint track. That was not the case on Sunday though, and no performance turned the theory on its head more than the performance of Hodd's Girl in the 47-65 handicap.

Having her first run for Ado McGuinness, the mare bolted up by five lengths from stall 23 under Adam Caffrey, with runner-up Tammany Hall and third home Tawaazon drawn 22 and 19.

McGuinness said: "Twice today the pace was on the stands' side. At the last couple of meetings here if you were on that side you were wasting your time. It's a complete head-scratcher."

He added: "She's in at Bellewstown on Wednesday and I'm hoping the race is divided, otherwise we could be snookered!"

Results, replays and analysis

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