Lovemenot and Billy Lee see them all off© Photo Healy Racing
Five races down at Limerick and it's been a Billy Lee and Killian Leonard domination job. Lee brought up a 68/1 treble when Lovemenot went 321 in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Maiden.
The Godolphin owned and Willie McCreery trained 5/4 favourite looked likely to win this seven furlong event pretty convincingly inside the last, but in the end she was clinging on by a short head and the same from Pearl Of The West and Alaykha
A steward's enquiry not involving the winner saw Pearl Of The West demoted to third.
"She deserved that and is still learning. It was a great first run, a good second run and Teofilos (sire) love that surface today - the trip wasn't any inconvenience and Billy is riding great this evening," stated McCreery.
"She quickened away a length but Billy said she was still very green in front. She is going the right way and I've nothing in mind now but will let her strengthen up some more."
The earlier Lee winners were Alans Pride for Richard O'Brien in the 5.30 and Amenette for Joseph O'Brien in the 6.35.
The Stewards enquired into possible interference in the closing stages involving Alaykha, ridden by L.F. Roche, placed third, Artistic Melody ridden by G.F. Carroll, placed fourth, Pavlenko (JPN), ridden by Anastasia O'Brien, placed fifth and Pearl Of The West, ridden by D.E. Hogan, placed second, where it appeared Pearl Of The West moved off the rail causing interference. Evidence was heard from the riders concerned. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards were satisfied that Pearl Of The West had improved her placing by causing interference to Alaykha and therefore reversed the placings of the second and third placed horses. Furthermore the Stewards found that D.E. Hogan was in breach of Rule 214 in that he had ridden carelessly and having considered his record, suspended him for one raceday.
The result now reads;
First; Lovemenot,
Second; Alaykha,
Third; Pearl Of The West,
Fourth; Artistic Melody,
Fiftht; Pavlenko,
Sixth; Kalamriyda
(TW & EM)
