Asean, right, gets up to collar Alabama© Photo Healy Racing
Asean came from last to first to annex the Listed Curragh Stakes over five furlongs.
Gavin Ryan 's mount was still in rear a furlong and a-half down, but the jockey had plenty under him as when push came to shove, the Ten Sovereigns filly made eye-catching progress inside the final furlong.
She ran on strongly in fourth in the final 100 yards to mow down Alabama close home at 17/2. Alabama (3/1) was beaten half a length into second and was the same distance in front of Rush Queen (7/1).
Asean was following up on a nursery success towards the end of last month in Cork.
Donnacha O’Brien said: “She travelled strong, she has a lot of speed and I thought Gavin gave her a brilliant ride. She has a really good turn of foot and he rode her for that.
“She did it nicely in the end and it was a good performance.
“Gavin led her relax and they all started racing fairly early. He let it happen in front of him and I told him to have a go at them in the last furlong and that’s what he did.
“She quickened up really well and is obviously a smart filly. We’ll probably step her up into Group company now.
“She’s all speed and we’ll probably keep her to five. She’d probably stay six but she is very comfortable at five.
“I’d say she loves quick ground, the quicker the better. She’s by Ten Sovereigns and he wanted it like the road.”
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
