Peticoat governs in opening maiden

The opening Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Maiden at Dundalk proved an interesting betting heat, and one of those to attract support was Peticoatgovernment who scored under a positive ride from Billy Lee.

The Willie McCreery-trained filly, available at 13/2 this morning and sent off at 7/2, was prominent throughout along with Multiviz (9/2 this morning, 11/4 SP).

The daughter of Holy Roman Emperor asserted under pressure a furlong out, and kept on well inside the final furlong to score by a length.

Multiviz kept on one paced in second, with Rocknrollbaby another length and a quarter back in third.

The start was delayed by six minutes as a number of the runners were reluctant to enter the stalls including 5/2 favourite Lady Lambert and Cafe Nervosa was withdrawn at 25/1.

McCreery said, "She's a grand filly. I bought her last year and stuck the lads into her recently. We just didn't get the colours changed over in time. The syndicate includes Richie Dunne who played football with me years ago.

"I'm delighted. She ran very well the last day and just got shuffled back mid-race.

"I wasn't that keen on coming up here but we thought she'd either win or get handicapped for next year. She's growing all the time and that'll be her for the year."

(GC & AM)