Swelter (noseband) © Photo Healy Racing
Swelter looked another potentially smart filly for Dermot Weld when making an impressive winning debut in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Maiden at Leopardstown tonight.
The Juddmonte filly was easy-to-back in the mile contest, returning 12/1, and was held up early by Chris Hayes.
She came with a strong surge to lead in the closing stages and was going away at the line to beat Valencia by a length-and-three-quarters.
The daughter of Kingman is a half-sister to two winners, out of a half-sister to Midday.
“She's a gorgeous filly, she's a big filly and has always shown ability,” said Weld.
“I did enter her in the Moyglare and the Debutante so it's not a surprise that she won here at all.
“She settled beautifully. She's a big filly so I'm looking more at next year with her. Please God she can make into a Guineas filly, that's how high I rate her.
“She's a talented filly, a nicer mover, and my only concern was a mile for her first run. If it was seven I'd have been confident that she'd win because of the pace she has.
“That's why Chris took his time on her, from a fitness score to go a mile, but she had no problem with the distance.”
