Bridge makes it two from two with Listed success

Sacred Bridge made it two from two in the Coolmore Ten Sovereigns Tipperary Stakes at the Limerick junction venue.

The Ger Lyons-trained filly had won on her debut at Naas a week ago and dropped back to five furlongs in today's Listed contest.

Colin Keane tracked the leaders on the even-money favourite before asking her for an effort over a furlong from home.

The daughter of Bated Breath got to the front inside the final 100 yards and was a cosy winner at the line as she beat Misty Ayr by a length-and-a-quarter.

Unfortunately the race was marred by the fall of Amalfi Coast close home. Jockey Wayne Lordan walked away unscathed from a nasty looking incident.

Shane Lyons said afterwards:- "We're very happy with that. She had a win last week and there was an early closing race in the Eyrefield Stakes on Saturday and she would have been in that but we don't like putting them in until they win their maiden, that's the policy.

"We have obviously done very little with her and she actually put weight on since and was giving us all the signs she wanted to go back.

"She did that very genuinely and Colin was again sympathetic with her. It was important she got black-type and Colin loves her temperament.

“She'll mix and match it between five and six (furlongs), take baby steps, and go back to the team now and set out a plan. She has an exciting future.

"This filly is smaller than (full-sister) Viadera but has the same temperament and oozes with class.

"I'd also like to give our sympathies to Aidan (O'Brien, trainer of Amalfi Coast) and the team as that is a horrible thing to happen and it has put a bit of a dampener on it."

(Quotes by Tom Weekes)