Goodie Two Shoes clears the last under Simon Torrens© Photo Healy Racing
Rated 100 on the level, Goodie Two Shoes made the breakthrough on her fourth start over flights, as she ran out a comfortable winner of the opener at Killarney, the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Maiden Hurdle.
Already tried in Grade 3 company, the Joseph O'Brien-trained four-year-old disappointed at Down Royal on her most recent start, finishing third when sent off an odds-on chance.
Returned the 11/8 favourite this afternoon, the Fastnet Rock bay raced mainly in third under Simon Torrens but was left second by the heavy fall of market rival Silent Approach (6/4 from 6/5) five flights from the finish.
The JP McManus-owned victor closed on the front-running Zoomtime on the approach to the straight and she got to the front two out, soon stretching clear and coming home eight lengths to the good.
The aforementioned Zoomtime (17/2 from 12s) had to settle for second under Abbie Fitzgibbon, while Lackaneen Mag (28/1) was a further nine-and-a-half lengths away in third.
"The other mare (Silent Approach) took a nasty spill and then it was a case of not letting the leader get too far in front of me and she did it well in the end," Torrens commented.
"She had plenty of ability on the flat and I'd say she is just learning and coming to herself over hurdles. Hopefully she'll keep progressing.
"I was watching the racing from Killarney at home yesterday and thought 'oh my God', but I walked the track and it isn't too bad."
STEWARDS REPORTS
T. Joseph Kelly, rider of Tropical Image, trained by Eoin Christopher McCarthy, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount kept backing off the hurdles after two horse's fell in front of her down the back straight.
P.J. Carberry, rider of Madam Baun, trained by Noel W. O'Neill, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount was lame post race which was confirmed by the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer.
At the request of the Raceday Stewards, G.B. Noonan, rider of Dark Image (GB), trained by Eoin Christopher McCarthy, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount was hanging in and flat out rounding the last bend when a horse on his outside leaned in on top of him and his chance was gone after that.
Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes
