La Tulipe Noire beating Den Of Iniquity© Photo Healy Racing
La Tulipe Noire caused something of a surprise when making most in the opening Irish Stallion Farms EBF (Fillies) Maiden at Dundalk before racing was abandoned due to dense freezing fog.
Very little of the action could be seen in this mile event, with cameras approaching the home turn giving a brief glimpse of the Ciaran Murphy-trained filly in front.
The easy-to-back 14/1 shot kept on well under Declan McDonogh and emerged from the fog inside the final 100 yards to hold off 11/8 favourite Den Of Iniquity by a neck. Cooler was a further length and a half back in third.
Murphy said, "She had the bit of experience compared to some of them. She was unlucky not to win with Siobhan (Rutledge) in Down Royal earlier in the year.
"In fairness, Declan was strong on her today and made up her mind. She got the job done. That was his plan, he was going to get out and use her experience and you know the strength of him when he gets behind one.
"She did nothing wrong the last day, she just got in behind horses and just didn't get out and wasn't beaten far.
"It's lovely to have another two-year-old winner for us, so they have been going nicely."
McDonagh said, “I was drawn a bit wide. She didn’t jump too quick but I made her go up and go forward. She’s lazy and he had the blinkers on her for a reason.
“She pulled out plenty up the straight. She ran around with me inside the furlong pole and I just had to make up her mind for her."
Quotes by Michael Graham
