Vespertilio wins from Sakti © Photo Healy Racing
Vespertilio impressed when coming from last to first to land the Alpha Centauri Debutante Stakes.
Runner-up to Ylang Ylang in the Silver Flash Stakes on her previous outing at Leopardstown, the daughter of Night Of Thunder was switched to the outer two furlongs out by Bill Lee and moved smoothly into contention before hitting the front at the furlong marker. From that point the 4/1 chance went away to beat fellow maiden Sakti by a length-and-three-quarters.
This Group 2 victory completed a juvenile double for owners Al Shira'aa Farms who were also on the mark with Atlantic Coast in the opener.
“That was lovely. She ran a lovely race the last day,” said winning trainer Willie McCreery.
“Billy apologised for sitting back last, he didn't want to sit that far back but he said she just got squeezed early and got lit up for a few strides so he just wanted to settle her.
“He did that first and she just happened to be back last. They were going a good gallop along and he was happy with her the whole way. She took him into the race beautifully and quickened up lovely.
“She gets a free entry now for the Moyglare and we'll stick her in that now, I'm always trying to save a few quid!
“We'll stay local, she actually qualified for a race in France today because she was bought in Arqana but I really wanted to come here instead of travelling at this time of year.
“She's lovely, gorgeous, and she has tactical speed as well.”
Quotes from Gary Carson
