Connections of Sonaiyla enjoyed the rub of the green at the Curragh today when winning the K Club Maiden as the Michael Halford trained, Aga Khan owned filly belatedly got off the mark under jockey Ronan Whelan.

Having her sixth start today, the daughter of Dark Angel gained a narrow lead with a furlong to race but was joined in the closing stages by eventual runner-up Independent Missy The pair passed the line almost in unison but Sonaiyla narrowly prevailed by a short-head.

Halford later said “she got knocked down twice the last day but still ran well, and the time before that there seemed to be an awful draw bias at Naas so she’s been a bit unlucky.

“It’s lovely to come here and win a maiden with her. She had the bit of experience and Ronan is riding terrific. She can go back to handicaps now.”

Quotes by Alan Magee