Halford off the mark for Ballylinch Stud

Division one of the Irishinjuredjockeys.com Maiden at Dundalk went to well-backed odds on favourite Illusory (10/11) on her seventh start. Scott Lang (33/1) ran a superb race on debut to press Illusory all the way to the line and just a short head split them with three lengths to Dream Round in third.

Michael Halford has care of the victorious four-year-old Make Believe filly for Ballylinch Stud and Shane Foley did the steering.

Rated 68 coming in here Illusory was always to the fore and was ultimately very game to keep Scott Lang at bay.

Illusory is from the family of Oaks/King George winner Taghrooda, and top broodmare Ebaziya, and Halford said: “It’s lovely to get a winning bracket for her. Shane kept it very simple on her and she’s very game and genuine.

“They didn’t go much of a gallop and she stuck at it well. When the other horse came to challenge her, she picked up again.

“She’s a lovely kind filly to train and she has a big heart.

“It’s our first winner for Ballylinch and I’ll talk to John O’Connor to see what they want to do.

“I feel there is more to come from her and she could be a nice filly to go handicapping with over the summer on grass.

“She still has a bit of strengthening to do. She gets that trip well and will probably get further if needed.”

S. Foley, rider of Illusory trained by M.Halford, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount jumped left out of the stalls.

(AM & EM)