Clifton boots home her first Galway winner

Izzy Clifton rode her first Galway Festival winner on 12/1 Plum Perfect in the second division of the Caulfield Industrial Handicap.

The first reserve couldn't make the most of stall one as he had to be pushed along to hold a position in rear of mid-division.

Clifton had to sit and suffer on the inner with a wall of horses behind her but began to make headway approaching the home bend.

She produced her mount between horses inside the final furlong and Plum Perfect found plenty to lead in the closing stages.

She scored by two and three quarter lengths from 10/1 Khafaaq Hat-trick-seeking Dance Emperor (9/2) flashed home on the outer to be a neck further back in third. Take My Hand was the same distance back in fourth at 8/1.

Trainer Denis Hogan said: "That was great for Izzy, she's a great part of the team and she works hard.

“She moved over from the UK last year and for those light weights she is just brilliant to have and she gave that a super ride.

“Everyone was itching to kick on but she didn't panic down the rail and bided her time. She gave it the perfect ride really.

“We got in as reserve but had two more in the race that were probably more fancied.

“Izzy has shown what she can do there. She didn't panic because sometimes from stall one you think you have to go forward.

“We said to her to sit in the box seat and be wherever you are comfortable and she did that. Some lads think you have to be in front drawn one. They tend to get racing early here.”

This was Clifton's first winner in Ireland having ridden five in Britain where she was based with Nigel Tinkler.

Additional reporting by Gary Carson