India Rain is ridden out by Pat Smullen to beat Damselfly© Photo Healy Racing
Newcomer India Rain just held off the well-backed favourite Damselfly in the opener at Cork, the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Maiden.
The Dermot Weld trained victor raced prominently in the early stages, and led from halfway. She was ridden and challenged by Damselfly from the furlong pole, and was all to hold off the Aidan O'Brien trained runner by a short head.
The runner-up was ridden by Donnacha O'Brien, and was backed from 3/1 to 9/4 on-course.
The front two went four and three parts of a length clear of 7/1 chance Golden Spell (Colin Keane for Ger Lyons) who was third.
Kris Weld said afterwards: "Pat (Smullen) was pleased with her and she travelled well and did everything nicely and was brave.
"She looked to have the race won but tired a little and the second filly has had a lot of experience and was just coming back her. She stuck her head out though and wasn't going to be denied.
"We've no grand ambitions and will look for a Nursery in a couple of weeks time."
The successful Holy Roman Emperor bay was returned at 4/1 in the colours of owners Moyglare Stud Farm.
STEWARDS REPORT
S. Foley, rider of Sandbanks Road trained by Madeleine Tylicki, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount found today's going too fast.
Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes
