Experience proves crucial as Kiki Roberts sheds maiden status under Keane

The twice-raced Kiki Roberts needed all of her previous experience when just getting up close home under Colin Keane to win the opening Irish EBF Auction Series Fillies Maiden at Navan.

Third over a mile on her most recent start, the Noel Meade trained daughter of Elzaam was quickly into stride, travelling easily under Keane on the stands side of the track.

Having seen off a trio of rivals that shadowed her in the initial stages, Kiki Roberts was delivered to throw down a strong challenge to leader Go Girl Go at the furlong pole.

However, that latter named Adrian Murray trained debutant found plenty for pressure, battling on well up the stiff hill only giving best in the dying strides.

Noel Meade said: "It was a bit of a gamble coming back in trip because we do think she needs seven or a mile, but I wanted to get her on good ground and the other couple of places I had her in were giving it soft.

"I just thought we would take a chance when we had Colin.

"She was unlucky the last day, she couldn't get out.

"I think she is pretty useful. Peter Nolan and myself bought her very cheaply and she is after growing three or four inches and filling out.

"The Americans wanted to buy her after her last run and I decided not to sell her.

"It was nice she went and won anyway.

"She only cost five and a-half grand and she would be a possible for the sales race in Naas on the last day of the season. She mightn't like soft ground now."

Additional reporting by Michael Graham.