Late surge helps Rush Queen beat wayward favourite

Trainer Ado McGuinness won consecutive renewals of Listowel's Irish Stallion Farms EBF (Fillies) Maiden today as his Rush Queen (15/2) took advantage of the wayward runner-up Ashwiyaa (13/8f).

Ashwiyaa was clear a furlong out and touched 1.03 in-running but drifted right in the closing stages, presenting Rush Queen with her chance and she eventually scored by a neck.

McGuinness, successful with Ti Sento in 2022, said “it was a last minute plan to come but we had made the entry. She ran a blinder on her first run at the Curragh last week and didn't do herself justice. They got racing very early and greeness told but I knew she'd improve a lot.

“She did it very smartly there — the other horse (runner-up Ashwiyaa) wandered but she stuck her head down and galloped to the line. She is still immature and is a lovely filly.”

He added “people used say I couldn't train juveniles but I've ran two this year and both have now won. I'm delighted and it's great for this new syndicate (Shamrock Thoroughbreds) which Stephen (Thorne, assistant) set up. This is another breeze-up filly and we've ran and won with two this year.”