Rawaaq beats Leitir Mor at the Curragh© Photo Healy Racing
Those that believe in the maxim 'money talks' were left scratching their heads in a big way after the opener at the Curragh, the Dubai Duty Free Voyager European Breeders Fund Maiden, as Rawaaq a newcomer for Dermot Weld, scored at the scarcely credible odds of 20/1.
Aidan O’Brien's George Vancouver was backed as if defeat were out of the question from 4/1 this morning into even money favourite. In the conditions though he 'died a death' in the final furlong, ending up finishing fourth as Rawaaq benefited from a patient ride by Pat Smullen. She came through to win in the style of a more than useful two-year-old, defeating Leitir Mor by two and a half lengths.
Weld said of the Hamdan Al Maktoum-owned daughter of Invincible Spirit: "I think they went very fast early on. Pat was wise to take his time. She came home nicely and she handled the conditions.
"We'll leave her off now and go for a Group race in August.
"She's a filly we've always liked but we were concerned before-hand about her handling the ground as she has shown a lot of pace." (GC & EM)
