Gasta takes the opener at the Curragh

Gasta got her career off to a winning start in the Equisoft Irish EBF Filies Maiden at the Curragh.

The daughter of Vocalised was solid enough in the market at 5/1, and came home well under Kevin Manning in what proved an exciting finish at the rain-soaked track.

The Jim Bolger-trained filly led in the closing strides to beat 3/1 favourite Now Your Talking by a head, with Clemmie just another head away in third.

The third never really got involved after a slow start but the full-sister to Churchill caught the eye when coming home strongly on the stands’ side.

The going was officially changed to good to yielding on the straight course before racing, and a further change to yielding to soft after this race.

Bolger said, “She was a bit green but got the job done. I hope there is plenty of improvement in her, and two winners I had in this race before went on to win Group 1’s.

“The Albany is an option for her at Ascot.”

Betfair quote the winner at 10/1 for the Albany Stakes.