September Leaves and Shane Foley. © Photo Healy Racing
September Leaves had to overcome a difficult passage before quickening up well on under Shane Foley to win the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden at Limerick.
A well backed 11/8f, the Jessica Harrington trained filly was backing up a very promising effort in handicap company at the Curragh last time.
Held up just off the front quintet in the early stages of the race, Foley elected to bide his time and wait for a gap early in the straight, as September Leaves found herself behind a wall of horses. Polaris Dancer took over from Eight By Ten over a furlong out but was soon joined by Slaney Swagger Foley had to switch the favourite out to deliver her challenge but found a willing partner who quickened to deliver her challenge deep inside the final furlong.
As a trio went head to head close home, September Leaves found that bit extra to prevail by half-a-length at the line.
Shane Foley said: "We liked her as a two-year-old and she disappointed, really but the visor has really switched her on and put her into gear. She was unlucky at the Curragh the last day.
"I think she’ll improve with racing, too, and she did that quite snugly. The horses are healthy and well, and she was entitled to do that. Things are really flying, and long may that continue.”
Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes.
