Greenfinch too strong for Cairn Rouge rivals

Greenfinch galloped her rivals into submission to land the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Cairn Rouge Stages at Killarney this evening.

Wayne Lordan, recording a double for trainer Aidan O'Brien on the card, bounced out in front on the Justify filly who was sent to post 3/1 joint-favourite in the Listed contest.

She was asked for an effort a furlong-and-a-half from home and stayed on strongly in the closing stages to prove two-and-a-quarter lengths too strong for Sakti

The winner was dropping back in trip in the mile event having been third in the Naas Oaks Trial three weeks ago.

Ballydoyle representative Chris Armstrong said:- “Wayne gave her a lovely ride, she jumped, got a lovely position and he was able to dictate from the front.

“Wayne said she was really enjoying it out in front and it’s good for her confidence to get a nice win like that under her belt, and hopefully she can step up in grade again.

“She loved the ground and handled the track no problem. She’s a typical Justify — a great mover, great attitude, and found plenty for pressure.

“We’ll be looking at something like the Fairy Bridge, going up to Group 3 again. Wayne thinks she’s versatile, somewhere between a mile to a mile and a quarter, so it gives her plenty of options. She could even be a filly you could travel with as she handles quick ground.

“It’s great to get the black-type for her, and great to get the black-type for the filly in third (Flight Of Fancy), so the race couldn’t have worked out any better."

(Quotes by Tom Weekes)