Katevan grinds out victory on debut

Katevan showed a good attitude to make a winning debut in the opening auction maiden at Dundalk tonight.

The daughter of Heliostatic came from off the pace in the mile contest to wear down her field in the final furlong.

Kevin Manning had his mount rear of mid-division in the early stages and she came under pressure turning for home.

The Jim Bolger-trained filly stuck to her task well, however, coming with a run on the outer inside the final furlong to lead in the closing stages and score by three-parts-of-a-length from Honour And Obey

The winner was easy to back, sent off 12/1 after trading as short as 5/1 in the morning. Zambezi Tiger attracted significant support (14/1 in morning into 6/1) but could beat only two home.

"She was a bit green and a bit weak but she stayed on well and will improve from it," said Manning of the winner afterwards.

The winner is owned by the Calypso Racing Syndicate, which is made up of four owners from Kildare.

Reddy Coffey, of Oaklodge Stud, is one of those involved and he added:-

"We were expecting a good run. She's nicely bred and we'll probably put her away for the season now. She'll hopefully get black type next year."

Gary Carson