Donal Murphy
Ming makes it 3 from 4 in the feature at Navan
Ming comes home a comfortable winner under Billy Lee
© Photo Healy Racing
Ming made it three wins from four starts, as he took the feature at Navan this afternoon, the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Race.
Successful on his debut at Dundalk in April, the Joseph O’Brien trained bay then finished sixth in a Group 3 at the Curragh.
He got back to winning ways in a three runner contest at Gowran last month, and was expected to follow-up today, going off a 6/5 favourite in the colours of owner Demi O’Byrne.
Settled in rear by Billy Lee, the son of Pour Moi took closer order on the outer from over two furlongs out, and swept through to lead with a furlong left to race, keeping on well from there to score comfortably by two and a half lengths. Change Of Velocity (7/4) finished second, while Spanish Point was half a length back in third.
"He did it nicely. He's a horse that's improving and going the right way with a bit of racing," said Lee.
"Joseph rang me this morning and said just to take my time, put him to sleep early and he did that. He travelled around lovely and he got me into the race beautifully.
"I just gave him a squeeze, he picked up and he's done it naturally, I didn't even hit him a belt. I think there is more improvement to come.
"He's not a slow horse so I wouldn't think he'd need a mile-and-a-half just yet. He could stay at ten furlongs but obviously on pedigree he has the capability of going to middle distances.
"He's a good horse. He's run in a Group 3 and he just did a bit much that day in the Gallinule. Joseph brought him back, he won well in Gowran and he's won well today.
"He's well entitled to step up again now."
Additional reporting by Gary Carson