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Michael Graham

Michael Graham

The Curragh's the track for Final Frontier

Sat 18th Jul 2015, 17:18

Final Frontier, blue, holds off Miss Katie MaeFinal Frontier, blue, holds off Miss Katie Mae
© Photo Healy Racing

Final Frontier made it two from two when fending off Miss Katie Mae in the Group Three Anglesey Stakes over the extended six furlongs in the Curragh.

The Dream Ahead colt was a warm order to follow up on his course and distance victory three weeks ago as punters sent him off the 5/6 favourite.

It was English raider Rogues' Gallery who bounced away smartly to lead as Final Frontier was settled in rear of the five runners.

With over two furlongs to travel, Shane Foley started to push Final Frontier along and he made rapid headway down the outside to lead approaching the furlong pole.

Miss Katie Mae started to wind up her challenge and she zoomed past Rogues' Gallery in the final 200 yards. At this stage the leader Final Frontier drifted across towards the stands-side rail and came close to Miss Katie Mae in the final throes of the race. A neck separated the odds-on favourite from the 10/1 shot at the line. A stewards enquiry was swiftly called.

"Any stewards enquiry I always find totally nerve-wracking. Even photo finishes when they take a long time I find nerve-wracking as well," trainer Jessica Harrington said.

"He was asleep Shane said for the first half of the race. He didn't want to set him alight. When he did, he went to the front very quickly and he was just idling and the filly came back at him.

"He did that well and quickened very well. He probably needs seven furlongs, I think he's crying out for seven furlongs. He'll definitely step up to seven now and you'd imagine he'll go for the National Stakes here. We'll give him a little time.

"He was working very well with Rockaway Valley early on and I always thought he was quite nice."

Following the stewards enquiry there was no alteration to the placings.

Additional reporting by Gary Carson

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.