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Michael Graham

Michael Graham

O'Callaghan eyes Royal Ascot for Lorelei Rock

Sat 11th May 2019, 14:02

Lorelei Rock, far side, wins by a short headLorelei Rock, far side, wins by a short head
© Photo Healy Racing

Lorelei Rock (12/1) just held on from Air Force Jet in the opening juvenile maiden at Naas.

Michael O'Callaghan's Camacho filly quickly got into stride from gate one and raced in second for Leigh Roche behind Prima Vega and Chris Hayes.

She picked it up over a furlong out and kept on well along the rail to just prevail by a short head from Air Force Jet (5/2) who closed throughout the final furlong all the way to the line. Daughter In Law came in third at 10/1 for Kieran Cotter and Mark Gallagher.

“She's a lovely filly that we've thought a lot of,” Michael O'Callaghan said.

“We picked her up at the breeze-ups not so long ago and she came highly recommended from Tom Whitehead.

“She got a little bit sick on him and we took his advice even though she didn't do the best breeze on the day we bought her. We're great friends and he has a couple in training with us.

“That was great and I'm delighted with her. Leigh hasn't had to be too hard on her and she's learned a lot.

“I thought she'd improve a lot from today and I thought if she was placed I'd be delighted.

“She's obviously a very good filly, she has a lot of speed and she may be an Ascot filly.

“I like her attitude because he hasn't had to get serious with her. We'd be very hopeful of her stepping up into stakes company now.

“She has a lot of body and is nearly 500 kilos as a two-year-old so she can only improve.”

The favourite, Ohio State was off the bridle early on and never got into contention.

Additional reporting by Gary Carson

1st
12/1
Tote €14.70 €3.10
2nd
shd
5/2
€1.10
3rd
2.75L
10/1
€1.90
4th
1.25L
28/1
bf
2L
11/8Fav
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.