Almela well clear in Ballybrit© Photo Healy Racing
Dermot Weld's Almela went off at 1/3 to make a successful debut in the fillies' maiden at Galway and she outclassed her rivals in coming in clear by 19 lengths.
The daughter of Sea The Stars broke well and as soon settled in third by Pat Smullen, behind Ulanda and Secundos Out
Ulanda moved 15 lengths clear at the six pole from Secundos Out and Almela. However, she was reeled in and passed with over three furlongs to go.
It was Secundos Out who took a narrow lead but Almela was going much the better on her outer. On the uphill climb to the straight Almela moved to the front from Nicaragua who made headway into second on the rail.
Almela soon quickened right away with a furlong and a half left and strode on for an impressive success. Nicaragua (12/1) got a second-placed reward while Regal Beauty stayed on to take third at 7/1 (from 14/1 in the morning).
Pat Smullen said: "This filly has got a bit of class. I think she has got plenty of quality. She was a little bit raw with me going to the start and early in the race but when I gave her a squeeze in the dip she picked up very well.
"She would be very similar (to Silwana the filly that won this race last year) but I just think this filly may have a little bit more class and a bit more pace hopefully. When the penny dropped she raced very professionally for the last sort of seven furlongs of the race. I just like the way she quickened up out of the dip because it's not easy as well know first time around here but as you can see the way she won she has got a lot of class."
Weld's son and assistant trainer Kris said: "She's a late developing filly and has been slow to mature both physically and mentally. She is bred to handle cut in the ground and won nicely.
"We won't get carried away and will look for a conditions race next. She still has plenty to learn and we'll take baby steps."
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
