Ben Coen © Photo Healy Racing
Irish Derby entrant Soul of Spain was all the rage for the median auction maiden (4/7 - 1/4) in Gowran Park, but underwhelmed in third as Cheeky Wink forged home best.
Cheeky Wink holds an Irish 1,000 Guineas entry and stayed this longer trip of an extended nine furlongs to score at 7/1.
She made good headway for Ben Coen to lead over a furlong out and ran on nicely to hold Total Look (10/1) by half a length. Soul Of Spain couldn't get involved in third, beaten two and a-half lengths by the winner.
Johnny Murtagh said: “She's always been a very nice filly and had a good run last year. She's big and she came back in good shape.
“Shane Kelly rides her at home and he's been raving about her for the last couple of weeks.
“It was just a matter of picking the right race and this looked like a nice race for her, an auction maiden.
“Ben said there will be no problem dropping her back to a mile. I think she's probably a mile or nine furlong filly.
“We're very happy with her. We'll speak to everyone at home and see but she could be a Stakes filly.”
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
