Wannabe Better (red) comes to claim Captain Joy© Photo Healy Racing
Wannabe Better powered away inside the final furlong to run out a convincing winner of the Vincent O'Brien Ruby Stakes at Killarney.
A competitive field lined up for a Listed race over an extended mile and Rock Critic took them along.
11/4 favourite Captain Joy travelled best turning for home and looked set to collect when claiming the lead passing the two pole.
Wayne Lordan had been pushing along on Wannabe Better from the turn but she stuck to her task well and tackled Captain Joy at the furlong pole.
Tommy Stack's charge soon got on top and was pulling away at the line to score by two lengths.
The 12/1 winner had been easy to back, being as short as 6/1 this morning, but continued a good record around the course for Stack, who was full of praise for the state of the ground:
“They do a great job with the track here. It's perfect ground and perfect for any Flat horse. It's on the fast side of good.
“She's always shown a lot at home but has never shown it on the track. Like a lot of women you have to give them a bit of time!”
Lordan added:- “Tommy is from not too far from here and likes to have a winner here.
“She's in good form and is a filly that we've always thought a bit of. It took her a while to get it together but she got it together on the right day today.
“Sometimes when they struggle to win a maiden and then win one they really step forward and that's what she has done.
“I got a lovely tow, they went a nice even gallop, and she picked up and galloped to the line well.”
The frustrating Snow Queen again blew the start and lost all chance. New Magic was very slowly away but not to be outdone Snow Queen even gave her a serious start.
(Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes)
