Evening Primrose leads them home under Seamie Heffernan© Photo Healy Racing
Upped in trip on handicap debut Evening Primrose (17/2 out to 11/1) brought up a double for Ballydoyle and Seamie Heffernan in the www.thurlesraces.ie Handicap.
Another Coolmore bred Galileo filly, Salsa put an important win on the board earlier, and Evening Primrose here made the breakthrough on her sixth start.
Settled behind the leaders early, Evening Primrose was in mid-division and seventh at the halfway stage.
Pushed along five furlongs out, the successful chestnut was ridden in eighth four furlongs out.
Staying on and closer behind the leaders a furlong and a half out, Aidan O’Brien’s filly was fourth a furlong out.
Running on to lead in the final hundred yards, the three-year-old kept on well close home to see off fellow classic generation filly, High Lake by two and a half lengths.
Well-backed favourite, five-year-old gelding Flindt had every chance, and ended up half a length back in third.
Heffernan revealed afterwards: "I couldn't see her having any chance but Aidan said she was mad fit and 'don't give up'.
"She has probably been crying out for that trip and she is strong enough now.
"She is genuine, which is a big plus, and she stays so I'm happy."
The Stewards fined Muredach Kelly, trainer, €65 for failing to fit the declared headgear to Midnight Wilde (GB), prior to entering the parade ring.
The Stewards requested a report from A.P.O'Brien, trainer, as to the apparent improvement in form of Evening Primrose, placed first, as compared with its recent form. Chris Armstrong, Authorised Representative for the trainer stated that the application of first time cheek pieces and the step up to two miles had helped to bring about the improvement in form when compared to its most recent runs. Having considered the evidence the Stewards noted the explanation given.
At the request of the Stewards, S. Foley, rider of Cool Colonnade trained by W.P. Mullins, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount has been keen in the past and he was instructed to get it to settle and that he followed the winner into the race but his mount did not go through with its effort.
(Quotes — Tom Weekes)
