Hi Stranger and John Gleeson© Photo Healy Racing
A six length winner on her previous start at Limerick, the John Kiely-trained Hi Stranger impressed again with a facile success in the Franco Hughes Away Bet Mares Flat Race.
The daughter of Sea Moon and Ebor heroine Sesenta, who carries the colours of broadcaster Brian Gleeson, tracked the leaders under his son John and was always travelling smoothly. She came through to head Rocco Bay at the furlong marker and was just pushed out to the line with six lengths once again her margin of victory.
It was a third winner for 7lb claimer Gleeson (17) who remarked: "She has travelled really well into the race, she settled lovely for me. I wanted to ride her wide to keep it uncomplicated and she has a really, really good turn of foot.
"When I let her down, she really picked up for me. She is a nice filly going forward and you would be excited by her.
"She seemed to show a lot of turn of foot there today. She has every right to go for a higher grade of race after that.
"It was (a good effort under the penalty) and she is not overly big either but she is strong, and for a four-year-old filly to do that I was impressed by her.
"John (Kiely) is a great man and without him I wouldn't be doing what I'm doing. He has taught me everything and I am very grateful.
"He has filled me with confidence with this mare from day one and I'm delighted to get another winner for him.
"It is brilliant for mam and dad and my sister Kate to be here. It is my first time in Down Royal - it is a lovely track and all credit goes to Down Royal, they have done a great job."
Quotes from Michael Graham
