Lina De Vega leads home her rivals under Ronan Whelan© Photo Healy Racing
Newcomer Lina De Vega sprang a surprise in the Chapman's Mitsubishi Kildare Fillies Maiden, scoring under Ronan Whelan for Patrick Prendergast and owners Ballylinch Stud.
Sent off a 16/1 chance, the Lope De Vega bay raced in mid-division, and was sixth halfway. She was pushed along to challenge on the outer from two furlongs out, and was ridden to the front inside the final furlong, going on to score by two and three parts of a length. Pocket Of Stars finished second under Declan McDonogh for John Oxx at 15/8, while Live Twice (10/1) was two lengths back in third under Chris Hayes for Paul Deegan. Surprisingly was sent off the 7/4 favourite and she finished a further half a length back in fourth under Pat Smullen for Dermot Weld.
Patrick Prendergast said afterwards: "She is a light framed filly but was going well and working well. She was sitting in behind and quickening well. We were only working her over five and six furlongs but she has a good pedigree and we knew she would stay further.
"I think she's a Stakes filly, and ground wise we will keep her off the extremes. She will come on a lot from that."
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
