Tarana and Declan McDonogh are clear from Beyond Brilliance and Shell House© Photo Healy Racing
The Aga Khan had a strong hand in the Listed Ardilaun Hotel Oyster Stakes, this year confined to fillies and mares, and John Oxx, often on the mark here in the past, provided the winner in Tarana
The other one in the famous green and red, Dermot Weld's Ebeyina may have headed the betting but it was 7/2 'second in,' Tarana that proved strongest of all when it mattered most.
Ebeyina travelled well until the climb and she was eased when having no more to give in the final furlong. She eventually beat only two home.
Tarana meanwhile, under Declan McDonogh, got to the front turning-in and she had two and a quarter lengths in hand over the staying on Altesse at the line.
"I'm delighted she won, she is a real genuine filly and she has been running well all year," stated Oxx.
"The trainer made a mess of it that last day. I put blinkers on her thinking it would make her better but she ran too freely and took off and just ran herself into the ground but still ran well to finish fourth," he then acknowledged.
"The good strong pace and the uphill finish here suited her and it's nice to win a second Listed race with her.
"There is never too much for them after this race but she could run in another Listed race, maybe the Finale Stakes at the Curragh in October.
"This was ideal for her and this will be her final year racing. She didn't really have a three-year-old career and she had a bit to do this year but she has now won two Listed races. I thought she might go a bit higher in the ratings but she didn't quite get there. This has been a very lucky race for us," concluded the master of Currabeg.
The Turf Club Veterinary Officer examined Ebeyina, trained by D. K. Weld, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be post race normal.
(DM & EM)
