Fairy impresses as Smullen doubles up

There was an opening race Dundalk double for Pat Smullen as his mount Blackgold Fairy routed the opposition in the AV Direct Irish EBF Fillies Maiden (Plus 10 Race).

Sixth over seven furlongs here on debut 107 days back, the US-bred came forward beautifully upped to a mile on this occasion.

In the familiar Zhang Yuesheng colours, Smullen soon led on this three-year-old, and he pushed her out to assert a furlong out. Keeping on strongly in the final furlong, Blackgold Fairy easily accounted for High Street Lady by six and a half lengths.

The latter, a first-timer from the Tony Martin yard, finished off well from the back.

Smullen's earlier winner was Settle For Red (David Marnane).

"She's a smart filly. She loves the surface and is a real good moving filly. She had a run here in November and was very green on the night so we said we'd take our time with her," commented winning trainer Michael Halford on the grand-daughter of top-class Islington.

"Pat said she rode like a really nice filly. It wasn't the plan to make it but from his wide draw he got up there handy, and she picked up in the style of a nice filly.

"I think she's a Stakes filly and if I'm happy with her on Monday morning I might make an entry for her here next Friday night in the Listed (Patton Stakes) race. It's not ideal because I was waiting for that fillies only maiden."

(AM & EM)