Oceania Queen and Tom Madden© Photo Healy Racing
"The handicapper knows what he is doing! I thought ten pounds was harsh but she is in-foal to Frozen Power and I'd say that is a lot to do with it," said Pat Martin after his Oceania Queen came home in front under Tom Madden in the fifth at Ballinrobe, the Vaughanshoes.ie European Breeders Fund Fillies Handicap. Break My Mind and the favourite, Majenta were the ones for money in this mile five heat, but in second and third places they had to yield by one and three parts of a length and three lengths to the Fairyhouse victor from 13 days back.
"She is just thriving at the minute and she is very easy to train. I never thought she would get this trip but she has just got stronger this year than she was before," Martin added.
"When she ran at Dundalk this year I didn't think she got home over a mile and a half, she looked like she'd win at the two marker.
"Pat (Smullen) said she gets it well enough, he rode her the last day. We said we would take a chance taking on the better fillies and thankfully it worked out. That will keep the mother-in-law (owner Mrs Nuala Brennan) happy for a while!"
R.P. Cleary, rider of Queen Of Alba trained by Thomas Cleary, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount lost her action in the back straight and was eased.
(DM & EM)
