Tarana, green, pips El Salvador in Limerick© Photo Healy Racing
Tarana came out best in a two-horse thrust for the line in the Listed Martin Molony Stakes at Limerick under a power-packed ride from Declan McDonogh.
The feature race on the card lived up to its billing as 7/4 favourite Inis Meain and Danny Mullins made it a true test from the front.
Inish Meain was till battling away trying to repel all the threats at the furlong pole, however, Tarana and El Salvador went past and were locked together at the winning post. The print revealed Tarana had her head down on the line while El Salvador’s head was just up in the air. The winning margin was a nose for the 10/3 chance. Inis Meain was a close-up third, a length and a quarter behind.
“Declan said that he thought he was caught, but she had her head in the right place. She’s very genuine and tough and stayed well. The race was a real test of stamina,” John Oxx said.
“She’s by Cape Cross and they always seem to go on fast ground so I was a bit surprised she would win on soft. I’d be interested to see her on better ground. On pedigree she should go on it and she won her two-year-old maiden on fast ground.
“She’ll probably run in the Noblesse Stakes in Cork in June. She’s entered in the Blue Wind Stakes at Naas, but I don’t think the drop to a mile and a quarter will suit.”
Jim Bolger’s Parish Hall raced four wide into the home straight, but weakened out of contention at the two pole.
Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes
