China Princess (Derek O'Connor) beats Bob Pebble (mainly hidden, under Declan Lavery)© Photo Healy Racing
Five of her full siblings managed bumper success so it shouldn’t have been any real surprise to see China Princess (12s into 8s) capture the seasonal finale at Ballinrobe, the RacingTv.com INH Flat Race.
The daughter of Shantou raced in the rear under Derek O’Connor, and she was tenth five furlongs out.
Peter Fahey ’s charge made headway into seventh three furlongs out, and she was pushed along and made further improvement two furlongs out.
Ridden in second a furlong out, China Princess led inside the final furlong, staying on well close home to defeat promising newcomer Bob Pebble by a length and a quarter.
The was plenty to take out of the performance of third home too, first-timer, Favori Logique
Strong favourite Elusive Rebeldom didn’t come up to expectations though in fourth.
“She’s a lovely filly but we were very disappointed with her at Down Royal,” said Fahey.
“We freshened her up and I was half confident coming here without knowing what happened at Down Royal.
“We may have made too much use of her there and I’m just delighted for Oran Crean and the Winning Ways as they have a good few horses in the yard.
“Derek said she was very green and that she’d improve. She’ll be a lovely one for hurdles in time.”
(EM)
