Harley's Harley is pushed out by Conor Hoban© Photo Healy Racing
Harley's Harley (9/2) reversed Down Royal form with Cut Me Loose and Strapless as she took the opening race at Sligo this evening, the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Auction 2yo Maiden.
Trained by Arthur Moore and ridden by Conor Hoban, the daughter of Cockney Rebel finished sixth last time out at Down Royal behind Washboard Sam with Strapless in second and Cut Me Loose third.
Decreasing in trip by a furlong this evening, the Liam Flood (well-known Poker player) owned victor chased the leaders in the early stages and was fifth two furlongs out.
Soon ridden, she moved into third a furlong from home and kept on best from there, hitting the front 150 yards out before going on to score by a length and a quarter. Fromajacktoaking (5/1) stayed on well to take second under Pat Smullen for Paul Deegan while Cut Me Loose (4/1), who led two furlongs out, was a further half a length back in third under Chris Hayes for Andy Oliver.
The 6/4 favourite Strapless was still in front with 150 yards to race under Kevin Manning for Jim Bolger but she faded tamely when headed and only finished sixth.
Winning trainer Arthur Moore said afterwards: "She's got a great attitude and has learned a lot from her first two races.
"She is very straight forward and it’s a great please to have another winner for Liam (winning owner Liam Flood) who got me back into training horses for the flat.
"My son-in-law Kevin Ross picked her out at the sales in Newmarket (purchased for 13,000 Guineas) and she is from a good winning family.
"She is versatile and seems to go on any ground. She will probably go for a Nursery now."
Moore was of course recording his second winner in as many days as he scored yesterday evening at Roscommon with Back On The Road.
(On-course reporting by Alan Magee)
