Four White Socks and Declan McDonogh © Photo Healy Racing
English raider Four White Socks swooped down the stand's rail to run out a convincing winner of the Denny Cordell Lavarack & Lanwades Stud Stakes at Gowran this afternoon.
The 95-rated Lope De Vega filly was making her first outing for Joseph Tuite today having last been seen when finishing tailed off in a Listed contest at Newmarket in July.
She had previously been fifth in the Munster Oaks at Cork and seemed to relish the easier underfoot conditions today.
Having been a 33/1 shot this morning she returns 14/1 on course to spring a bit of a surprise in the Group 3 contest.
Declan McDonogh tracked the leaders on his mount as Who's Steph got the field on the stretch early in the straight.
Four White Socks stuck on well and came wide in the closing stages as she grabbed the front-runner in the final 200 yards.
The chestnut soon asserted for a three-and-and-half length win. 50/1 shot Snapraeceps edged the runner-up spot by a head from Tipitena
Four White Socks had been bought by owner Steve Hillen for 50,000gns at Tattersalls sales last December and winning rider McDonogh said:-
"Steve rang me and said she had issues with her feet and is delicate to train but she is an English 95 rated filly and put the race to bed very quick.
"I travelled around really well and we steadied it up from the five (furlong mark). She was jumping through the bridle and when I gave her the office she really picked up and felt like a nice filly.
"If you looked at her form you'd be thinking that's why she is a 14/1 shot but she didn't feel like a 14/1 shot going around there.
“They were saying if you could get in the first three it would be a major result so I'd say Steve will be absolutely delighted."
(Quotes by Tom Weekes)
