LA Fogata will bid for blacktype after securing her maiden success at Punchestown on Tuesday. The Ger Lyons-trained filly came from last to first to open her account in the opening Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Maiden on the card.

Colin Keane got a strong surge from the 11/4 shot to lead in the closing stages and secure a half-length win over White Sand Beach.

The Mehmas filly is owned by Tom and Max Wachman, grandsons of Coolmore supremo John Magnier, in partnership with fellow show jumpers Max O’Reilly Hyland and Michael Duffy.

La Fogata carried the ‘yellow, black star’ silks which were originally owned by Sue Magnier and were worn by the likes of high-class National Hunt horses Tiananmen Square and Theatreworld.

Assistant Shane Lyons said: “She did that well, her next race will be the Silken Glider at the Curragh on October 21st.She seems to appreciate a big galloping track and Colin feels she’ll get a little bit further next year. The main aim now is to try and get blacktype. She was fourth in a Group 3 last time, so to get one place further would be a good season for her.”

High stakes

Stakes races are also on the agenda for Port Of Spain after he justified good support in the following mile maiden.

The Ballydoyle colt led over a furlong from home, under Ronan Whelan, and the 5/4 favourite held the late run of Back Straight by half a length.

Aidan O’Brien’s representative Chris Armstrong said: “He had two lovely runs in hot Curragh maidens, so I suppose on form he was the top pick.

“Ronan felt there is plenty of improvement in him. That trip is perfect for him at the moment. I suppose he’ll be in the mix for the Beresford or he could even step up for the Eyrefield.

“The sire (St Mark’s Basilica) has been very good to us and is absolutely flying now.”

PROMISING apprentice Julian Pietropaolo had a day to remember when partnering his first career double. The 7lb-claimer recorded his first victory for boss Joseph O’Brien when Kashel Spring claimed the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Handicap over nine furlongs.

He produced the 11/1 shot from off the pace to get up close home and secure a half-length victory over Its All Peachy.

Pietropaolo said: “She was tough. There was loads of pace on, so I was happy to have her in mid-division as I didn’t want to be too hard on her early on. They kicked from about three furlongs out and, to be fair to her, she galloped and she picked up well.”

Easy win

Pietropaolo completed his brace in fine style when the Patrick Magee-trained Searcog ran out an easy winner of the concluding nine-furlong handicap.

The Inns Of Court filly led over a furlong from home and went on to record a comprehensive three-length success over Echinacea.

“She’s a big filly and probably took plenty of time to come to hand,” said Magee of the 11/1 winner.

“She’s a filly that will jump a hurdle too, she’s a big scopey filly and stays going. That’s Julian’s third winner for me. He’s a good young lad and is a valuable 7lb off that light weight and can do it comfortably. Fair play to him having a double today, I’m delighted for him.”

”Can’t beat breeding”

There was also a double for Joseph O’Brien on the card, as Joey Sheridan also partnered his first winner for the Carriganog handler on Snapretend in the median auction maiden.

The 9/2 shot led a furlong and a half from home to record a two-length win over Lady Lilac in the nine-furlong event.

Sheridan was led back in by winning owner John Farrell and he said afterwards: “A big thanks to Joseph, it’s nice to pick that up for him. He’s very good to all the lads that go into him on a Wednesday.

“She was sweet there today, travelled round and kept it nice and smooth. John won with her dam and her grand-dam as well, you can’t beat breeding.”

ANOTHER apprentice to shine on the card was Joe Harnett, as Warazam made the breakthrough in the first division of the concluding nine-furlong handicap.

The Jarlath Fahey-trained filly had been placed six times previously, but made no mistake this time as the 13/8 favourite led turning for home to record a convincing three-and-a-quarter-length win.

Harnett said: “She had been knocking on the door a lot and she had a very good run in Clonmel the last day, just bumped into one. Thank God she got her head in front today.

“Hopefully the handicapper isn’t too hard on her now after that. Hopefully, she’ll get her head in front again.”

Barbizon back on course

Barbizon made it two wins from four starts when taking the nine-furlong conditions race on the card for trainer John Murphy.

The King Of Change gelding came with a strong run in the closing stages, under Shane Foley, to get up and beat Coeur D’or by three parts of a length.

Foley said of the 3/1 winner: “He’s a horse I always liked, even before he ever ran. I did things wrong at the Curragh the first day and then he won well in Killarney.

“Colin liked him the last day. He was just keen going down and then Colin didn’t ask him to jump and it was a bit of a messy race. It was a good performance from a three-year-old, because he was giving weight to some smart handicappers.”

Soldier battles hard

First-time blinkers seemed to work the trick for Sun Soldier, as he got off the mark in the Nostra Supporting Laois GAA Handicap. Ben Coen led over a furlong from home on Andy Oliver’s charge and the 8/1 shot stuck on well to hold Dark Viper by half a length.

Coen said: “He was a lot more alive going down to the start today. He jumped and travelled, even though we went hard, and picked up quite well from the two to the one to put the race to bed.

“It was quite a long half-furlong as he had his ears pricked, he thought his job was done. It’s nice to get his head in front, he’s been placed plenty of times.”