Leafy Shade makes a promising debut

Leafy Shade kept on well on her debut to land the six furlong two-year-old fillies' maiden in the Curragh for Jim Bolger and Kevin Manning.

The daughter of New Approach broke well to race in the front rank alongside Karalara on the rail and Diamond Fields in between the pair. Camellia Japonica was close up in fourth on Leafy Shade's outside.

Manning started to push Leafy Shade along approaching the two pole. She was then ridden into a narrow lead from Karalara a furlong and a half out.

Inside the final furlong it was Camellia Japonica who came at Leafy Shade but the winner was driven out to score by half a length at 'Burlington Bertie 100/30'.

"Hopefully she's a filly with a future," said Jim Bolger.

"We've a few others to sort out and we'll see how we get on at Leopardstown next Thursday (Silver Flash).

"We also have to see the filly that won in Tipperary (Mrs King). She's kind of been there with all of those.

"She would have no problem with another furlong or a mile."

There was money for Joseph Murphy's runner-up Camellia Japonica. She was backed from 25/1 in the morning and then from 16/1 to 12/1 at the track. This was also her first appearance. Tessonna on debut for David Wachman, was two lengths further back in third at 20/1.

Tommy Stack 's Diamond Fields was the plunge horse in this maiden. From 7/2 in the morning she contracted to 2/1 favourite on the off. After being prominent in the early stages, she could give no extra in the final furlong and came home eighth.

Leafy Shade holds a host of Group-race entries, including the Group One Moyglare Stud Stakes at this track in September.

BoyleSports introduced her at 33/1 for the 1,000 Guineas and the Oaks.

Additional reporting by Gary Carson