First and third for Murphy as Shiota just prevails After springing a 33/1 surprise at Naas last month, Shiota followed-up in the QuinnBet Spring Fillies Handicap. Returned at just 3/1 today, the Joe Murphy-trained chestnut was settled towards rear by Gary Carroll, improving on the outer from the two-furlong pole. Ridden inside the final 200 yards, she soon went second and tackled the front-running Gloriously Glam and after a ding-dong tussle in the closing stages, there was just a nose between them at the line. The runner-up was returned at 16/1 under Keithen Kennedy for Jessica Harrington, while Lady Lilac (14/1), also trained by Murphy, finished two-and-a-half lengths back in third. Returned the 5/2 favourite (drifted from 15/8), Varshini finished last of the eight. "I wasn't sure and I kept my conference to myself, and walked off the stands. Then I was delighted to hear number three, which is a lucky number for me," Murphy, who saddled Cercene to finish third in the 1,000 Guineas, reflected. "I think she can go up the ranks and the next race is a Listed race in Killarney, then we'll work up from there. She's a nice filly. "We're talking about maybe making an entry for the Britannia but we'll see. We'll munch over a burger tonight and see." When asked how high she could go he added: "Who knows, with the competition you have with fillies. When the O'Brien brigade come out they always have two or three in front of you or somewhere near you. You're kind of like a fisherman with one hook! "I'm delighted with Lady Lilac as well. She's a lovely filly, she's an improving filly. "We had her half-sister (Galtee Mist) who won the Listed race in Galway and I think with another year under her belt she'll be a nice filly." Additional reporting by Gary Carson "On first impressions I felt I was (up), but the longer it went on I started to lose faith a bit," Carroll reflected. "She was good. I won the last day on her and it surprised me how well she quickened. I was biding my time a bit more today. "I don't know why but she has a habit of going right and if I got beaten today she would have thrown it away by doing that. Thankfully we've held on. "She's improved from two to three and hopefully we haven't got to the bottom of her yet." STEWARDS REPORTS * The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Varshini, trained by J.A.Stack, at the request of the Raceday Stewards and reported the animal to be post race normal. * R. Whearty, rider of La Guapisima (FR), trained by Gavin Cromwell, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that he had to check after a furlong and a half. The Raceday Stewards reviewed the video footage and were satisfied that no further action was warranted. * G.F. Carroll, rider of Shiota, trained by Joseph G. Murphy, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount hung right in the final furlong. Additional reporting by Gary Carson
