Harasiya, green, scoots away under Johnny Murtagh at Leopardstown© Photo Healy Racing
Harasiya showed an impressive turn of foot at the furlong pole to quickly power away from her rivals in the feature Group 3 Flash Stakes at the Curragh for John Oxx and Johnny Murtagh.
The once-raced juvenile had won her maiden over course and distance in June on good ground by two and a quarter lengths, but tonight’s performance saw her win on soft ground, stepped up in class, by two and a half lengths.
The 11/8 favourite raced on the outside of the field and mowed down front-runner My Special J’s from Pat Shanahan’s stable, who kept on for second at 8/1. Roseraie kept on late to take third at 14/1.
A delighted John Oxx said: “She did it nicely and she is a good filly.It was nice to see her step up and win comfortably. She wasn’t doing a lot in front.
“She was a little wide and Johnny wanted to get going and she quickened up well. She goes through that soft ground well.
“It remains to be seen whether she’ll handle good to firm ground. It’s a bit of a question mark, but we’ll find out when the time comes.
“We’ll see now whether or not to go for the Debutante Stakes. She’ll tell us when she wants to run. She’s well bred with a good sire [Pivotal] and dam [Hazariya] which helps. It looked a good race going into it.”
With all eight runners holding future Group race entries this contest looks sure to throw up plenty of winners.
Harasiya was popular in early trading today from 9/4 to 5/4 though again a Pat Shanahan runner’s price contracted sharply as My Special J’s was 28/1 in the morning to a returned 8/1.
Roseraie in third also had her supporters from 25/1 down to an SP of 14/1.
Harasiya has been cut to 12/1 second favourite for next year’s 1000 Guineas with Stan James (from 25/1.) Their 6/1 favourite is John Gosden’s Newfangled.
Michael Graham (on course reporting by Gary Carson)
