FLORESTA blossomed in some style when running out an impressive winner of the Tote Irish EBF Vinnie Roe Stakes at Leopardstown on Thursday evening.
The Johnny Murtagh-trained filly went to post a 6/1 shot as she tackled a mile and six for the first time in the listed event.
In a strongly-run contest, Ben Coen produced his mount to lead a furlong and a half from home and the Waldgeist filly soon settled matters, recording a four-and-a-quarter-length win over Happy Pharoah.
Murtagh, who trains the winner for Newtown Anner Stud, said afterwards: “She was very impressive. It was a good even pace which spread everything out.
“Ben said when he asked her to go at the three marker, she really came on the bridle strong.
“She’s a big girl, so she’s probably getting a bit better with racing and a bit of time. I was hoping she would get a bit of blacktype this year and have her in training as a four-year-old. We’ll have to have a look and see if there is a group race for her before the end of the year.”
Making all
Murtagh went on to saddle a double courtesy of Onemoredance in the concluding Dublin To Bahrain Fillies Handicap.
The in-form mare made all the running in the mile contest, under Patrick McGettigan, to record a two-length success from Aviatrice.
“Patrick’s 7lb was a big help today and I’m delighted. It’s not often you get a filly that can win four races. She seems to be improving all the time,” said Murtagh of the 11/2 winner.
“There is a fillies handicap here over a mile on Champions Weekend. We came here today to see if she was good enough for that and I think she deserves to take her chance in it now.”
SHANE Foley had a good day at the office, bagging a brace of winners. His first came when Solomon Islands made a winning debut at odds of 22/1 in Irish EBF Auction Series Maiden.
The Eric McNamara-trained gelding came with a strong surge late on to get up for a half-length victory in the seven-furlong contest.
The trainer’s son Conor said afterwards: “We thought he was very nice at home, but we only have two two-year-olds, so it’s very hard to gauge.
“When he got a bit of daylight he actually ran a little bit green, but once Dusty got him out in the open he flew and I’d say he was a good winner at the line.
“I picked him out as a yearling but (my sister) Kate actually bought him and he’s her horse. He’ll be for sale, but if not he could go for a winners’ race or step into pattern company.”
’Smashing horse’
Foley teamed up with boss Jessica Harrington later on the card as Falls Of Acharn scored in the colours of the trainer’s daughter and assistant Kate.
The Sea The Moon gelding hit the front passing the furlong marker and kept on well to record a length-and-a-quarter win over Fixation.
“He’s a smashing horse. I think the step back in trip helped but he can probably go up again now,” said Harrington.
“He’s learning all the time. He was laid-back to start with but then he got free. Today he did everything right, which is great. Being one of Kate’s he’s obviously for sale.”
IT was a red letter day for Adam Grant as he partnered his first winner aboard Nakasero in the Tote Handicap. The Rosslare jockey was having his ninth racecourse outing after a successful pony racing career in the last few years.
Grant got a lovely run up the inner to lead turning for home and his mount stayed on strongly in the closing stages to post a two-and-a-half length success.
The rider’s boss Henry de Bromhead said afterwards: “I’m delighted for (owner) Mark (Phelan) and all the connections and obviously for Adam as well, it’s his first winner and he’s a kid with a bright future.
“Adam has been with us, on and off, for years. He used to pony race with my son Jack, so there is a good bit of history there. He’s always been a very good rider and I’m delighted to see him getting his first winner.”
Boxes ticked for Smexy
The Ger Lyons-trained Smexy made it third time lucky in the opening Tote Irish EBF Fillies Maiden when emerging on top after a terrific battle with Josh’s Joy.
The pair went head to head in the closing stages with the 11/8 favourite just edging things late on for Colin Keane to score by a head.
Assistant Shane Lyons said of Mark Dobbin’s filly: “She deserved that after being group placed last time (in the Silver Flash Stakes). It was nice to tick the box and get the maiden out of the way. She’s a fine big filly. It’s all about next year with her and she is a work in progress.”
Tight finish
There was an even tighter finish to the Unio Employee Benefits Handicap with Altimara sticking her head out gamely to land the spoils.
Donagh O’Connor produced the 10/3 favourite to lead a furlong from home, but she was all out in the closing stages as Lady Pagasa challenged, just prevailing by a short head at the line.
“It’s great. It was an anxious moment going past the line as we weren’t sure,” said trainer Ross O’Sullivan.
“Donagh said she relaxed even better today as she was very hard on herself. The hood has definitely worked great with her. I’m delighted for Yvonne Lavin and the Cooney family. It’s great to get a winner for them as they’ve been very good to us over the years.
“It’s nice to have won two with a filly that was very frustrating. Brendan (Cooney) stuck with her all the way. There were a couple of things that went wrong with her through the last year and she eventually came good.”