Too Familiar swoops late at the Curragh

Too Familiar made it two wins from as many starts when quickening up nicely to take the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Median Auction Race at the Curragh.

The Clodovil juvenile, who won on debut at Navan back in April, was again patiently ridden by Niall McCullagh who switched her left to challenge inside the final furlong.

The 11/4 chance found a nice turn of foot to lead close home for a half-length victory over 6/4 favourite Gasta

The pace-setting Verhoyen could find no extra at the business end to finish a further half-length back in third.

Winning trainer Johnny Murtagh said, “The plan was to hold onto her and ride her with confidence. She was still a bit green when she got to the front. I thought she would handle a bit of cut in the ground but was a bit worried about conditions today.

“She is not in at Royal Ascot yet and we will wait and see. I always thought she was a six-furlong filly that would stay seven furlongs or a mile as a three-year-old.

“She is the best two-year-old we have and we have some nice ones. She’s pretty smart.”