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Donal Murphy

Donal Murphy

Foley doubles-up on Festina Plente

Fri 21st Sep 2018, 19:51

Festina Plente is ridden out by Shane FoleyFestina Plente is ridden out by Shane Foley
© Photo Healy Racing

After winning the second on Bittersweet Shane Foley doubled-up on Festina Plente in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Median Auction Maiden.

Second over the course and distance in August, the Johnny Murtagh trained Toronado bay since finished fourth when tried over seven furlongs at Down Royal.

Back to six this evening, she was sent off a 9/2 chance (8s this morning) in the colours of Fitzwilliam Racing 2018.

Settled behind the leaders, she came with her challenge between horses from the two furlong pole, and was pushed along to lead with just over a furlong left to race.

She was ridden and extended her advantage inside the final furlong, going on to score by a length and three parts from Cityman (4/1) in second.

Declan McDonogh was aboard the runner-up for Andy Slattery, while the 3/1 favourite Coral Beach was another short head back in third, with Donnacha O'Brien aboard this one for his father Aidan.

Foley said afterwards: "She's a nice filly. I was surprised looking at the paper this morning that she wasn't one of the fancied ones.

"She had a good run here the first day and maybe seven the last day might just have stretched her a bit.

"She's after strengthening up a lot, even in the last couple of weeks, and I think she could progress into a black-type filly."

Additional reporting by Gary Carson

1st
9/2
Tote €5.60 €1.80
2nd
1.75L
4/1
€1.80
3rd
shd
3/1Fav
€1.40
4th
2.5L
40/1
About Donal Murphy
Donal graduated from Maynooth University in 2010 with a BBS in Equine Business and since attained a diploma in Sports Journalism from Dublin Business School. He holds a variety of roles in the horse racing industry, reporting for the Press Association and p2p.ie, while also working for SIS and the Tote. From Wexford, he is a keen runner and has completed over 100 parkruns at various locations around the country.