Gelded after finishing in rear at the Curragh on his debut in June, Karazhal (9/1) showed notable improvement to win the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Median Auction Maiden in the hands of Ronan Whelan.

The Aga Khan's son of Profitable was ridden in mid-division halfway down the straight and picked up well to burst through between horses in the final furlong for a half-length success over Flash The Cash

The winner was a fourteenth success of the campaign for the Conyngham Lodge training partnership of Michael Halford and Tracey Collins and the former remarked: “We're delighted with him. It all seemed to go over his head at the Curragh. He had been pleasing us working and we were happy to start him off but it didn't happen on the day. 

“We gelded him as he was quite a heavy topped horse, took our time with him and he had been working nicely and was ready to start back. 

“I think he benefitted from a fast run race there, they seemed to run out of steam a bit late on and he was just coming home well. 

“He looks like a horse that could maybe even go up a furlong and I'd say there is plenty more improvement in him. He has a good attitude and it's good to get a bracket for him. 

“Watching the race I was saying that this lad needs to go up a furlong anyway but his last furlong was good. 

“Ronan was good on him. He picked the right hole to get through, often those gaps close but it just opened up nicely for him. He got there and hit the line strong.” 

Quotes from Gary Carson