Vega strikes on first start for Twomey

Moon De Vega made the perfect start for Paddy Twomey when running out a convincing winner of the fillies race at Gowran Park.

The Lope de Vega filly had shown a decent level in stakes races in England and was 13/8 second choice in the market on her Irish debut behind 10/11 favourite Mashia

Billy Lee held his mount up in the nine-furlong contest before taking closer order early in the straight.

Moon De Vega hit the front over a furlong from home and soon settled matters, going on to record a three-and-three-quarter length win over the market leader.

“That was great. She's a new filly, it was nice place to start and it worked out,” said Twomey.

“She was rated 100 and ran in the Epsom Oaks. I didn't think anything else in the race, unless Mr Weld's was very good, was of that calibre.

“She was fourth in a Group 3 and fourth in a Cheshire Oaks, and not beaten too far in an Epsom Oaks, but had no black-type so the mission is to try and get some black-type. She's a Lope De Vega filly with a good pedigree, and a nice looking filly, so that's the plan.”