The Algarve shines in Galway opener

The Algarve made it third time lucky with a game front-running performance in the opening fillies maiden at Galway this afternoon.

Seamie Heffernan was soon in front on the American Pharoah filly and she stayed on stoutly in the closing stages of the mile contest to get the job done.

The Aidan O'Brien-trained filly was pressed by newcomer Native Queen early in the straight but found plenty late on to post a two-and-a-quarter length success.

It was a third career outing for the 5/4 favourite who had been mid-division on debut at Naas before finishing fourth to stable-mate History at Gowran Park last month.

Heffernan won his first classic on the winner's dam Imagine, in the 2001 running of the Irish 1,000 Guineas, and he said afterwards:-

"She is a gorgeous filly who needed two runs because she was a bit goofy.

"I won a Classic on her mother (Imagine) and was placed in a Classic on her brother (Van Gogh) and she is a lovely filly with a big future."

(Quotes by Tom Weekes)