Vera's Secret scorches clear for impressive success in Group 3 Mutamakina Stakes for John Feane

Vera's Secret led her rivals a merry dance in the Group 3 Al Shira'aa Racing Mutamakina Stakes as she scorched four lengths clear under Seamie Heffernan in a dynamic front-running performance.

A crack at Group 1 company could be on the agenda for trainer John Feane's strapping mare now. 

The six-year-old proved progressive last term, landing a fillies' handicap at the Curragh before scoring at the Irish Champions Festival at this track in September with a similarly authoritative display from the front.

She earned her shot at Listed company at Tipperary on her final start of the campaign, when finishing fifth, but seems closer to the finished article this season as she put in a huge career best here to dash clear of Fiery Lucy in second.

Heffernan established a clear lead soon after the gates opened and the pair had all rivals off the bridle turning for home on quickening, and no-one could lay a glove on her in the straight as she continued to stretch to complete an 11-2 success in impressive fashion.

Having had only eight starts, Feane is aiming high with the unexposed daughter of Epaulette and feels she's a different prospect this season. 

"She hasn't had a lot of racing and is a big, strong six-year-old now," he said. "She's a quality mare and proved it today. 

"Nathan Crosse was to ride her today but he had to go to Hoppegarten for Willie McCreery. He's done a lot of work with her and she's his ride so we were lucky to get Seamie. 

"She's entered in the Lanwades on Guineas weekend and we'll probably come back for the Matron Stakes later in the year. 

"She's a bit different this year, more mature and she'll come on for this as she's over 600 kilos and takes plenty of work at home."

Double for Murtagh 

Diego Velazquez was set to go off a warm favourite in the Listed Amethyst Stakes, but his withdrawal after rearing in the stalls left the mile contest wide open and the Johnny Murtagh-trained Chicago Critic took full advantage under Ben Coen to complete a double for the pair after Zodiac Bear ran out an impressive winner of the opening 7f maiden.

The four-year-old's best effort came at Royal Ascot last year, when he was an excellent third in the Jersey Stakes, and he improved substantially for his seasonal debut over six furlongs at Cork to land his third win.

Coen sat last as the field straightened for home, but his mount began to lash down the outside as soon as his rider administered some encouragement and he ultimately ran out a comfortable length and three-quarters winner over Kortez Bay.

Chicago Critic (Ben Coen) knuckles down to win the Amethyst Stakes Credit: Caroline Norris

"He's been up and down in trip from six furlongs to a mile," said the winning rider. "I think a mile on fast ground is his ideal trip. They didn't go quick and I had a nice turn of foot towards the end so it's nice to get his head in front again. His best form is over a mile and he feels good at that trip."

More Ballydoyle success

Aidan O'Brien and Wayne Lordan continued to fire in the winners as they paired up for a treble on the card, which Roosevelt kicked off in the 1m4f maiden, when beating Delta by a head at odds of 7-1, before Delacroix landed the Derby Trial.

Butterfly Wings finished off the combination in the 1m2f fillies' maiden when darting four lengths clear of Diamond Exchange at odds of 2-1.

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