Shalailah (Donnacha O'Brien) beats Harvestfortheworld (Chris Hayes)© Photo Healy Racing
Shalailah deservedly made the breakthrough when winning on outing number six in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Median Auction Maiden (Plus 10 Race) at Dundalk. Harvestfortheworld ran a huge race on debut but she eventually had to yield to the Joseph O'Brien-trained and Donnacha O'Brien-ridden Shalailah by half a length.
Pat Smullen, bidding for a double, ended up a length back in third aboard Adaliya
Championship rival Colin Keane came home in fourth position on a nice looking newcomer, Bring On The Band
"She was rated to do that and I think she will be better when she goes back on turf. She stuck her head out today," said the winning rider.
"I'm not sure that she's in love with that surface, and when it rains it tightens up a bit and makes it even quicker. She doesn't want soft ground but just might be better back on turf."
(AM & EM)
