Zamira another for McCreery & Lee

Willie McCreery recorded his seventh winner in the last ten days, as his Zamira made all in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Maiden.

McCreery tasted success at Gowran and Naas over the bank holiday weekend, while he recorded doubles at Clonmel on Thursday and Cork on Saturday.

Zamira, who was formerly trained by Dermot Weld, was fourth on her debut for McCreery at Dundalk in March, going down by just a neck on her last start in a handicap.

Back in maiden company today she was sent off the 11/4 second favourite with Billy Lee (sixth winner in the last ten days) in the saddle.

Soon in front, the daughter of New Approach was ridden to maintain her advantage with over two furlongs to race, and she kept on well up the straight, going on to score by two and a half lengths. Chocolat Noir who was sent off the even money favourite, couldn't get by the winner, and had to settle for second under Pat Smullen for Johnny Murtagh.

Willie McCreery said afterwards: "John (Malone) bought her at the sales last November (for €20,000) and sent her to me. She's as game as a pebble and Billy said he didn't go fast enough on her in Navan.

"It's great to get a win for a well-bred filly like that. She was covered recently by Exceed And Excel so hopefully she is in foal and that would be a great double up for the owners."

Additional reporting by Alan Magee