Karamaya makes winning debut

The opening race at the Curragh this afternoon, the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden over six furlongs, went to the John Oxx trained newcomer Karamaya under Niall McCullagh.

The daughter of Invincible Spirit got up close home to deny the well backed 5/2 second favourite (opened 5/1 this morning with Paddy Powers) Gathering Power for Fran Berry and Eddie Lynam.

Just a nose separated the pair at the line with a further length and a quarter back to the Dermot Weld trained newcomer Cocktail Hour in third at 6/1 under Pat Smullen. Quadriga was sent off the 13/8 favourite on his third career start for Aidan & Joseph O'Brien but he could only manage a disappointing sixth.

Winning trainer John Oxx said afterwards: "She did it alright. She is by Invincible Spirit and a lot of them win first time out.

"The ground is very testing but she did a great job. I thought she'd need the run.

"There are three Listed and Group races from seven furlongs to a mile here in September and October and she might go for one of those.

"She will need to improve a bit but she will improve a bit but she will if we ever get good ground in this Indian summer.

"Yesterday wasn't a good day (Sadler's Rock and Hartani both beaten) but today started well and there is always tomorrow!"

(On-course reporting by Michael Graham)