Yaria booked her place in the Group 1 Independent Waterford Wedgewood Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh next month after justifying good support in the two-year-old maiden at Naas yesterday evening.
Lady O'Reilly's filly was well-backed from 7/2 down to 2/1, and showed good speed throughout the straight six furlongs track for Declan McDonogh to beat the staying on newcomer Trueheart by a head. 'She was a bit unlucky at the Curragh last time, and will probably be better suited by seven furlongs eventually. Having said that, her obvious next target is the Phoenix Stakes,' said trainer Kevin Prendergast.
Prendergast later completed a 23/1 double in the mile fillies maiden when Asanine quickened up nicely on the stands' side for Brian Hughes to beat Mollyputtheketelon by a neck. 'She worked very well during the week, and I might run her back again fairly quickly,' said the Curragh handler.
Grand Reward was an easy to back 1/2 favourite for the six furlongs winners' race but the Storm Cat colt proved different class when cruising to the front well inside the final furlong under Jamie Spencer to beat Blue Dream by a very comfortable length.
The starting stalls again came under scrutiny when Lupine's gate opened slowly in the sprint handicap causing Kevin Manning's mount to miss the break and finish in rear behind Mrs St George.
Davy Condon produced the filly with a well-timed challenge to catch the always prominent Tubbertown Rose and Tigim close home. 'I complained to the handicapper when she was put up 8lb after winning at Ballinrobe but he was right. She is just getting the hang of things, and likes passing horses,' said trainer James Burns.
Condon later doubled up in the mile and a half handicap where Eye Candy recorded a facile win when stretching clear inside the final quarter mile to beat Tyndall by an eased down two lengths. This was a first Flat winner for trainer Sandra McCarthy, and her husband Peter said, 'We bought him to go hurdling, and he's a dinger to jump. He will have one more run in a handicap, maybe at Galway.'
Alan Magee
