Laburnum and Seamie Heffernan win the Hurry Harriet Stakes© Photo Healy Racing
The Irish Stallion Farms EBF Hurry Harriet Stakes (Listed) was dominated, as expected, by Aidan O’Brien and Laburnum (4/5 fav) took over early in the straight from front-running stablemate Ennistymon (3/1) before defeating that one by a length and a quarter. A New Dawn (12/1) was another half a length back in third.
The winner, strong in the market all day, made a winning debut at this track in June before finishing fourth in the Irish Oaks last time.
The full-sister to Irish 2,000 Guineas winner Roderic O’Connor and Listed winner Dazzling continued her progression here and gave the winning trainer her fourth win in the last six renewals of this event.
Seamie Heffernan, back in action after a lengthy spell on the sidelines due to quarantine and suspension, said of the winner: "Her last run was a very good run in a Group 1.
“It wasn’t an easy decision to make (between the winner and Epsom Oaks runner-up Ennistymon) but I just thought this trip would suit her better and sometimes Epsom can be a tough track to come out of.”
“She was backward at two. She’s a relaxed filly with a little turn of foot. Trip doesn’t matter to her that much.
“The ground is on the slow side of good in my opinion.”
Of his return to action Heffernan remarked: “I’m very hungry and I’ve bills to pay!”
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
