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Michael Graham

Michael Graham

Maristella franks her maiden form

Tue 6th Sep 2022, 20:15

Maristella in charge in the closing stagesMaristella in charge in the closing stages
© Photo Healy Racing

Maristella got off the mark in her first venture into handicap company at Galway.

Johnny Murtagh 's four-year-old New Bay filly had a notable piece of form in maiden company in the book when runner-up to subsequent double Group 3 winner Rosscarbery on debut at Dundalk in April. She was sent off 4/1 favourite on this her third appearance.

She tracked front-running Higher Kingdom over this extended mile handicap for three-year-olds plus rated 50-75 and closed climbing the hill to the final bend.

The pair seemingly had the race to themselves as nothing was coming from behind and Maristella gave Higher Kingdom a slight bump as the pair were locked together outside the furlong pole.

The came close again before Ben Coen drove Maristella on in the final 100 yards to beat the 50/1 runner-up by two and a half lengths. There was a gap of three lengths back to third-placed Coins Cross (9/1). Molly's Gamble kept on for fourth at 12/1.

Coen said: "She half missed the break and I was able to get a nice pitch up behind Seamie (Heffernan, on Higher Kingdom) the whole way. She was a little bit green, it was only her third run and, to be fair, when I got her balanced and going forward, she lengthened well.

"She enjoyed that ground and hopefully she can stay improving. She is a fine, big, strong filly, so hopefully can keep going the right way."

Additional reporting by Tom Weekes

1st
4/1Fav
Tote €5.00 €1.50
2nd
2.5L
50/1
€6.90
3rd
3L
9/1
€2.20
4th
0.5L
12/1
€2.50
About Michael Graham
Michael has worked in horse racing journalism for more than 15 years, having also written a weekly betting column on Gaelic football and hurling for a newspaper. He is involved in writing the My Racing Story features on this website. He spent a year in South Africa completing a Diploma in Business Administration and also studied Newspaper Journalism in Belfast. He enjoys playing 5-a-side football on a regular basis.