First win for O'Callaghan as Sakura gets off the mark

The Ger Lyons trained Sakura got off the mark on her second start, as she justified 11/8 favouritism in the Foran Equine Irish EBF Fillies Auction Maiden.

A good third on her debut at Naas last Saturday, the daughter of Dabirsim was expected to go a few places better this afternoon.

Soon in front, the Rolline O'Callaghan owned victor (recording her first success) was ridden and over a furlong out and kept on well from there to score by a length. Glamorous Power (10s into 8s) ran on well to take second under Robbie Downey for Eddie Lynam, while stable mate Olay Power (12/1) was another length back in third.

Lyons, who hit the bar with Rita Levi in the opener, said afterwards: "I'm still down after the first. You'd think I'd get used to getting my arse kicked by Aidan!

"This filly is lovely. She's not the best mover in the world so we were always dubious whether she would handle this ground.

"I took the view that she'd handle it rather than going on what looks obvious for her because of her action.

"She ran well the other day and handled that so that answered that question.

"I made this entry with no real view to running her because she was giving weight away all around. But I thought with the way she had come out of her race we'd run and if she doesn't handle it she doesn't handle it.

"I thought it was a lovely brave performance and she can only improve as she's very much on the leg.

"It's a great first winner for Rolline (O'Callaghan of Yeomanstown Stud). It's very important to break the maiden with these fillies and that's it done.

"As I said I'm still down after the first race but I'd want to start getting used to it.

"That first filly is weak and I'm just annoyed with myself as I thought her talent would do it. She's like Blue Uluru and won't be a horse until next year."

STEWARDS REPORT

R.P. Downey, rider of Glamorous Power (GB) trained by Edward Lynam, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his saddle slipped in running.

Additional reporting by Gary Carson