Red Azalea gains a deserved maiden victory

Red Azalea opened her account at the ninth attempt when making most to land the SP Or Better Guaranteed With Tote Maiden at Ballinrobe.

The Galileo filly has come up against some useful sorts this year including the likes of Above The Curve and Emily Dickinson and was well-backed here into 8/13 favouritism.

Donnacha O’Brien’s charge was challenged by chief market rival Roman Bull a furlong out but got well on top in the closing stages to score by two-and-a-half-lengths under Gavin Ryan.

The pair had the race between them in the straight with Lady Tanzanite a further eight-and-a-half-lengths away in third.

Ryan said, "She has a lovely pedigree and she’s run into some very smart types, so I suppose you could say she’s been unlucky all the way along.

“She’s very versatile in terms of trip and ground. All her form has been very consistent over a range of trips.

“I thought from the bottom of the straight Billy (Lee, on Roman Bull) was coming to me well and that he was going to go by me, but in fairness to my filly she battled on well.

"I think she appreciates a bit of light as well, and when she got into the straight and got her head back up she seemed to gallop out a good winner.”

Quotes by Mark Nunan