Harpist in control under Wayne Lordan © Photo Healy Racing
Wayne Lordan and David Wachman recorded a quick double at Down Royal when the strongly punted Harpist gained a deserved success in the Magners Berry Maiden.
Lordan soon grabbed the lead from his inside berth in the seven furlong contest and took them along.
The Danehill Dancer filly was asked for an effort as they straightened up a furlong-and-a-half from home and stayed on strongly in the closing stages.
She had a length-and-a-half to spare over 25/1 shot Lateral Thinking at the line. The Andy Oliver-trained runner-up was just half-a-length ahead of his better fancied stable-mate Live Dangerously (5/1).
It was an overdue win for Harpist who had been beaten favourite on her three outings this year, including at short prices on her last two runs.
She had only been beaten a neck by One True Love at Gowran last time.
The winner was available at 5/2 this morning but was strongly supported. She opened 9/10 on track and was backed down to 4/7.
“She was entitled to win as she had a number of nice runs and hopefully she can go on from here,” said Lordan afterwards.
“She works really well at home and has a high cruising speed. That's the kind of ground she wants and she had a good draw. Everything was in her favour today.”
(Additional reporting by Alan Magee)
