Harty eyes Listed contest for Arugam Bay Jamie Powell was seen to winning effect in Leopardstown last night and kicked off Fairyhouse's card with a winner aboard Arugam Bay (6/1) for the Harty joint licence. He sent her past unbreakable Duke approaching the final furlong of this Irish EBF Auction Series Maiden over six and his mount showed a good attitude in resolutely making the best way home on her third start. Cortina D'amprezzo (7/4f) surged home for second, but was a neck in arrears while 8/1 shot Unbreakable Duke was the same distance away in third. Arugam Bay has improved on each start from a debut fifth in the Curragh to a runner-up berth at Tipperary. Patrick Harty said: “She had a lovely debut run at the Curragh when she was just ready to get out and run. She had a very good run at Tipperary, she was a touch unlucky to be drawn on the far side and lacked a bit of company. “We weren’t massively looking forward to the extra furlong, and going around a bend today, but the conditions suited her perfectly, getting all the allowances. “We love these median auction maidens for two-year-olds and it worked out. “We’ve always liked this filly. Michael and Louise (Roe) bred her, they couldn’t get four grand for her at the yearling sales before Christmas and fair dues to them they put her into training. “They got her broken with Patrick O’Sullivan and, as soon as she was ready to move on, she came to us in January. From day one with us, she’s just stepped up. “They had a share in American Money and he’s been great fun over jumps. They are breeding a few now and this is the first winner they’ve bred and owned. “Mick is a son of Johnny Roe, nine-time champion Irish jockey. I’d say he nearly got more of a kick out of that, breeding a winner, than anything before. “She’s very fast and there is a Listed race in Tipperary in a fortnight’s time, we’ll have a look at that depending on how she comes out of the race. “I don’t think she’s far off stakes company.” Powell rode a winner on Smaoineamh Sile in Leopardstown yesterday for John McConnell. Additional reporting by Gary Carson
