Empire Steps Up From Promising Debut The Jessica Harrington trained Keepupwithmyempire came forward from a very encouraging debut effort to run out a decisive winner of the Irish EBF Median Sires Series Race at Naas. Third behind subsequent Royal Ascot winner Little Big Bear over 5f here in May, the colt appreciated the extra furlong he encountered this afternoon. In what was almost a carbon copy of the opening race, the winner tracked the favourite throughout the early stages before being asked a question after the 2f mark. Again, the response was instant as the Shane Foley ridden horse stretched clear for an easy success. There were 4 lengths separating the front two at the line, with a similar distance back to Amazing Show in third. Kate Harrington said:- “That was great. The ground maybe wasn't ideal for him, it was plenty on the soft side, but he quickened up well. “He'll improve for a bit nicer ground and he's a lovely horse. He stepped forward from his first run and that's what we thought he'd do today. “He's a very good natured horse at home, very relaxed, but he wants to get on with things. “He holds an entry in the Ballyhane here, that's at the beginning of August so he could easily go straight there because it's such a big pot and then step up into group company.” Additional reporting by Gary Carson
