Empress Lyla provides birthday present "It's Anna German's birthday today and she rides her out and leads her up so it's great," revealed trainer Sheila Lavery after Empress Lyla took the 7.15 at Fairyhouse, the Follow Us On Social Media Handicap. The Lavery runners can do little wrong at present and off a 226 day break this Holy Roman Emperor filly justified the confidence of those that sent her off the joint market leader at 5/1. Gary Carrol had her in rear, and she was closer in eleventh on the outer entering the straight. Ridden in eighth two furlongs out, Empress Lyla made good headway to lead under a furlong out, staying on well inside the final furlong for a half length verdict over Bouquet Garni.   "She has heart and she tries, and Gary (Carroll) said she can go a mile. She doesn't like the kick back so the draw (stall 18) probably played to her advantage," further explained Ms Lavery. The Stewards enquired into an incident in the straight involving Likewise, ridden by R. Aguiar, and Imbucato (GB), ridden by P.J. Smullen. Evidence was heard from the riders concerned. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards were of the opinion that the incident was accidental and took no further action. (AM & EM)
