Stellify, number 12, finishes a neck up on Andratx© Photo Healy Racing
Stellify prevailed after a final-furlong tussle with Andratx in the second split of the Happy Retirement Eamonn Lloyd Apprentice Handicap in the Curragh.
Antratx was joined by a staying-on Stellify with a furlong to travel and the pair went at it hammer and tongs before Stellify took a definite lead in the final 50 yards.
She came home best under Sam Ewing to put a neck between Andtrax and herself. The winner went off 'Burlington Bertie' 100/30 favourite and the runner-up was a 17/2 chance. Lady Ironside finished two and a quarter lengths further back in third at 16/1.
Ado McGuinness said: At long last! At the start of the year she was so lowly rated that she couldn't get into races.
“I ran her in a claimer one day and she finished second and went up 17lb. She had gone up 22lb this year before today and hadn't won so if any filly deserves a win it's her.
“She's gutsy. She's very small and light and she's disappearing on me every week because we've been running her every week.
“She was 388 on the scales this morning and I have yearlings at home heavier than her. This was her last shot of the dice before she was getting a break.
“I'm delighted for the guys who have been with me for years. I trained the dam, Distant Piper, who won six races for me.
“At the start of the year we didn't think she was much good but she's turned inside out on soft ground. I'm delighted for the lads as they've kept with her and she's won for them now.
“She wants soft ground but I don't think she'll ever jump a hurdle because she's very small and slight.
“She's just going to be a Flat filly but she's all heart and when you're like that you have a great chance of winning races.”
This was Stellify's first career success on her 15th start.
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
