2 for Weld and McDonogh and Sea bound for better things

Dermot Weld and Declan McDonogh doubled up on day five at Galway as Lure Of The Sea justified heavy market support (11/10 into 8/11) in the Guinness Irish EBF Fillies Maiden.

This Calumet Farm Sea The Stars filly added to the earlier Rosewell House gains with the Aga Khan's Zuenoon in race one, but the mile and a half on the soft (soft to heavy in places) was a tough ask for the seven participants.

In the end though there was no disputing the favourite's authority, as she came home with two and a half lengths to spare over Cascabel

"I said it beforehand that the ground is not ideal for her. It was good to firm when she ran second on her first start at the Curragh and I think she's got the ability to progress and be a Stakes filly," said Weld, after greeting this 3rd winner of Galway 2018.

"She's a lovely big mare with a good attitude. She was very immature as a two-year-old.

"She's got a future - she's 500 kilos, 16.2hh - we've given her lots of time and patience pays dividends and I think it'll come with this one.

"Very few horses like the ground quite as testing as it is there now. I'm not saying she wants firm ground but on better ground I think you'll see a better filly. I think she'll progress a lot with the run and I think there's lots more to come."

The Stewards received a report from the Clerk of the Scales, Mr. L. Walsh, that D. O'Brien, rider of Queen Iseult (GB), attempted to weigh out without the harness attachment on his back protector prior to this race. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned who stated that it had been an oversight on his part. Having considered the evidence, the Stewards found the rider in breach of Rule 198 (v) and Regulation 10 and having considered his clean record imposed a suspension of seven days on the rider.

(EM)