Making Light takes opening Group race for Weld

She got rid of Leigh Roche on the way to post but that proved no barrier to success for Making Light in the Group 3 Lodge Park Stud Irish EBF Park Express Stakes (fillies) at Naas.

With Pat Smullen out ill, Roche deputised on the Moyglare Stud Farm Tamayuz filly for the Dermot Weld yard.

The four-year-old travelled really well through the mile event and when asked she found enough to get the better of Panstarr and odds-on favourite Elegant Pose by half a length and three parts of a length.

"She's a very consistent filly and it's nice to win another Group race with her," said Weld.

"All being well she'll go for the Gladness, that would be the logical progression for her.

"Over seven or a mile, she seems to be equally versatile.

"I gather what happened (on the way to the start) was that there are swings down below and some of the children ran out and she unseated Leigh.

"She was always travelling like a winner all the way through and the only slight concern I had was a mile on the very heavy ground, on the score of fitness.

"It's lovely to win the first Group race of the year. Obviously we're hopeful that Pat will be back soon.

"She's a lovely mare and a lovely mare to train. I think she'll be equally effective over seven as a mile the way she was travelling there at the seven.

"It was lovely to win it especially as Eva Maria (Bucher-Haefner) was here today, she came over to see her run."

(GC & EM)