Indian Wish leads home her rivals under Declan McDonogh© Photo Healy Racing
Indian Wish (15/2) claimed Listed honours for the third time in her career, as she took the feature at Killarney this evening, the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Cairn Rouge Stakes.
Successful three-times when trained in France and now in the care of Joseph O'Brien, the grey four-year-old won the Victor McCalmont Memorial Stakes at Gowran on her penultimate start, finishing down the field on her most recent outing at Royal Ascot.
Fitted with cheekpieces for the first time, the Annette Kelly-owned victor was settled in mid-division by Declan McDonogh and was fifth halfway.
Making progress on the outer from early in the straight, she was ridden to challenge a furlong-and-a-half from home, soon improving into a share of the lead.
She edged to the front inside the final 200 yards and stretched clear in the closing stages, coming home a length-and-three-parts to the good.
Returned at 9/2, Unless filled the runner-up spot under Seamie Heffernan for Aidan O'Brien, while Giladah (12/1) ran on late to get some valuable blacktype, a further half-a-length away in third.
Sent off the well-backed 6/4 favourite (9/2 early), Eternal Silence faded inside the final furlong and eventually finished fourth.
"She actually ran very well at Ascot - she travelled good but the ground was probably too quick. Joseph put the cheekpieces on today to sharpen her up around here," Brendan Powell, assistant trainer, commented.
"Dec said they went sprinting pace early and she was struggling to lie up. He said once she got organised, she came on the bridle. She is a massive big filly, is tough and keeps improving.
"She had a lot of runs before she came to us and that's two nice ones she has won now. She is in at the Curragh this weekend (in the Group 3 Michael John Kennedy Memorial Stakes) and Joseph will decide if she runs."
STEWARDS REPORTS
W.J. Lee, rider of Mea Domina (FR), trained by P. Twomey, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount hung right throughout.
D. McMonagle, rider of Zoinnocent trained by Joseph Patrick O'Brien, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount was slowly away.
The Raceday Stewards reviewed an incident on the first bend where it appeared that Any Dream Will Do ridden by N.M. Crosse, ran short of room forcing him to take a check. Having viewed the recording of the incident, the Raceday Stewards were satisfied that no further action was warranted.
The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Mea Domina (FR), trained by P. Twomey, at the request of the Raceday Stewards and reported the animal to be post race normal.
Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes
