Aussie Girl and Mark Enright lead home Yuzu and Shane Foley© Photo Healy Racing
Aussie Girl made the breakthrough on her fifth start, as she made all in the season opener at Sligo, the Tote Fantasy Fillies Maiden.
Fourth on recent outings at the Curragh and Cork respectively, the Fozzy Stack trained three-year-old was expected to get off the mark this afternoon and was sent off a well-supported 11/10 favourite (from 11/8 early).
Drawn on the rail in stall one, the Peter Piller-owned chestnut was soon sent to the front by Mark Enright and she kept on well when ridden from over a furlong out, going on to score by a length-and-a-half.
The Jessica Harrington trained Yuzu (16s to 11s) finished second under Shane Foley, while the easy-to-back Hasiyna (16s from 7s early) was another length-and-a-quarter back in third.
"The draw was a big help. That was her fifth run today and I kept it simple," Enright said.
"I kicked her out of the gates, there was a big rush on early and I just wanted to get to the front and I was able to dictate from there. I was able to give her a chance up the hill.
"She can be a little bit keen but was a bit idle in front. I was able to kick off the bend and she put it to bed well. You need a stayer to win around here no matter what trip it is and she has a little bit of class, even though it wasn't a great race."
"I know she's had nice runs on soft, including here, but I think she might be better on a bit better ground."
The winner is a half-sister Hayyel, who coincidentally also won her maiden at Sligo back in June of 2019.
STEWARDS REPORTS
The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Thunder Dance (GB), trained by W. McCreery, at the request of the Raceday Stewards and reported the animal to be post race normal.
S. Foley, rider of Yuzu (GB), trained by Mrs John Harrington, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount leaned right throughout this race.
Additional reporting by Mark Nunan
