Sweet success for Meade in Bellewstown opener

A fine third on debut at Leopardstown last month, Sugar Club went a few places better in the opener at Bellewstown this evening, the Irish EBF Median Sires Series Fillies Maiden.

Bought for E17,000 at the Goffs Autumn Yearling Sale, the Noel Meade-trained bay was expected to make the breakthrough this evening, going off the 11/10 favourite.

Soon in a share of the lead, the Liam Queally-owned victor established an outright advantage from halfway and had all her rivals off the bridle from the two-furlong pole.

With Colin Keane aboard, who carried two pounds overweight, she kept on well in the closing stages and came home three-lengths to the good.

Newcomer Luscious (7/2) filled the runner-up spot under James Ryan for Ger Lyons, while the Donnacha O'Brien-trained Now (10/3) was a head way in third.

Meade said: "She's a nice filly and we like her a lot. She had an inside draw and he (Keane) just said he would keep it simple.

"She had a lovely run in Leopardstown when Jamie (Powell) rode her and he minded her well.

"She's a lovely filly and I would think she has a future."

Additional reporting by Michael Graham