Lady Mega, number 13, cuts down Have A Great Day© Photo Healy Racing
The photo finish to the opener in Dundalk took some time for the judge to separate Lady Mega and Have A Great Day but it was the former who prevailed by a nose.
Have A Great Day had been fourth last Friday over five furlongs here. Sporting the first-time hood and tongue-tie tonight, Chris Hayes bounced him out smartly from gate five into the early lead in this six furlong juvenile maiden.
Although hard at work two furlongs from home, the son of Kodiac kept finding more for pressure and saw off Thirteen Diamonds
However, 10lb claimer Robbie Downey produced Lady Mega (a daughter of Kodiac) down the outside and the 3/1 joint favourite got up in the last stride to win. The runner-up was returned 4/1.
Successful trainer Eddie Lynam said: “She was good. She’s not over big, but game as a pebble so we decided to take the 10lbs off. She just got up on the line and it’s great.”
It was three parts of a length back to Camakasi in third at 16/1. Green Tag the other 3/1 joint favourite, came home fifth. There was a significant market move for Yellow Emperor (14/1 to 8/1), but the money was left behind on his first start for James Ryan having been with Jeremy Noseda in England. He finished ninth.
This was jockey Downey’s third career victory. Lady Mega was stepping up on a debut second place over course and distance in September.
7lb claimer John Brennan was suspended for one-day for weighing in a further 2lb over having carried 2lb overweight originally.
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
