Outside Inside forges ahead in Gowran

The market expected Ger Lyons' Ball Girl to make a winning debut at Gowran Park but she was unable to reel in 12/1 shot Outside Inside in the opening seven furlong fillies' maiden.

Billy Lee sent Outside Inside to the front racing into the final quarter of a mile and she held a narrow lead at the furlong pole.

Ball Girl was switched left in fourth by jockey Keanen Steyn coming to the final furlong and set off in pursuit.

Outside Inside was ridden in the final 150 yards though and she repelled Ball Girl who was gaining on every stride to the line.

The 11/10 favourite was half a length adrift at the winning post. Front-running Beach Wedding (14/1) was a further length and a half away in third.

Trainer Willie McCreery said: "That was grand. She is a nice filly and I always thought she was, it has just taken her a few runs to learn her job. She was half pulling herself up until the other horse came beside her and she went on again then.

"I think the nice ground really suited her. She loved that beautiful ground. The last day the firm ground at Fairyhouse just didn't suit her. She had a bad draw that day as well.

"I'm glad for Garrett and Anna (Freyne), it's my first winner for them this year. If she ends up as good as Colour Blue, who was by the same sire, we'll be happy.

"She probably will go for a sales race at the end of the year but we'll see what's around beforehand."

The Stewards interviewed K.G. Steyn, rider of Ball Girl, concerning his use of the whip in this race. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned. Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence the Stewards were of the opinion that the rider was in breach of Regulation 10.3(f) and 10.4, in that he used the whip with excessive frequency and failed to give his mount time to respond and having considered his clean record in this regard, suspended him for one race day.

Additional reporting by Donal Murphy