Impressive Floresta has Murtagh eyeing Group races Floresta (6/1) powered home for Listed glory in the Vinnie Roe Stakes over 1m6f at Leopardstown for Johnny Murtagh and Ben Coen. Galveston raced clear for Jack Cleary, but they were swallowed up by Happy Pharoah and Eastwatch approaching the home bend. Happy Pharoah soon kicked for home, but Floresta was making eye-catching and stealthy headway in third outside the two pole. Floresta was sent on by Coen a furlong and a-half down and she moved clear inside the final furlong. It was soon a matter of how far she opened up by and the margin was recorded at four and a-quarter lengths from 4/1 joint favourite Happy Pharoah. Nuit was a length off the runner-up in third at 16/1. Murtagh said: “She was very impressive. “She came out of her last race very well and Ben said the ground is a bit kinder tonight which probably helped her a little bit. “It was a good, even pace which spread everything out. He said when he asked her to go at the three marker she really came on the bridle strong. “She’s a big girl, so she’s probably getting a bit better with racing and a bit of time. “I was hoping she would get a bit of black-type this year and have her in training as a four-year-old. “We’ll have to have a look and see if there is a Group race for her before the end of the year. “I’d love to keep her as a four-year-old because I think she has the size and scope to keep improving. “I was worried about her staying because I said ‘is she strong enough to stay?’ but Ben said there is no problem with her staying. “She is strong but we just always thought she was that big weak frame. Maybe now with time she’s developing up into that frame.” Additional reporting by Gary Carson
