Harbour Gem sparkles on better ground

Dermot Weld and Chris Hayes struck in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF 3yo Spring Series Median Auction Fillies Maiden with 7/2 chance Harbour Gem

Disappointing when favourite at Leopardstown last month but placed on all three previous outings, the daughter of Zoffany was stepping up to ten furlongs for the first time. Patiently ridden, she improved to challenge in the straight and gained a narrow advantage over Declaree inside the final furlong to score by a neck.

Hayes said of the David Granville-owned winner: "I was of the opinion she wanted good ground and her form suggested she handled heavy. We ran her in Naas and she got through heavy ground quite well but maybe that race took more out of her than we thought.

"We agreed we'd come here for the nicer ground, a nice track and to ride her cold. She did what we thought she'd do, hopefully that'll do her confidence the world of good and she will step up."

"She is at the right side of the handicapper and if she can do what her sibling (Listed winner Harbour Wind) did, that would be great."

Quotes from Thomas Weekes