Lambada forges home© Photo Healy Racing
Aidan O'Brien's Lambada (4/1) came home strongly to win the GowranPark.ie Fillies Maiden over an extended nine furlongs.
Another 4/1 chance, Astar set out to make all but she was collared by Lambada over a furlong out.
Seamie Heffernan rode her to the front down the outer and she just had to be pushed clear in the closing stages as she lengthened away by three and three-quarter lengths.
Astar took second and was a length and three quarters in front of Hazalaya 7/2 favourite.
This was Lambada's seasonal reappearance and her third career outing. She was third on her second start in a fillies' maiden at Leopardstown in October.
The Dubawi filly holds an Irish Oaks entry.
Stable representative Chris Armstrong said: “Seamus gave her a lovely ride and kept her out on the fresh ground.
“She had a lovely run at Leopardstown last year and has progressed well over the winter. She is a filly with pace and will stay a mile and a quarter and might get a bit further.
“She’ll probably be in the mix for something like the Cheshire Oaks or the Blue Wind at Naas. She is a filly to look forward to and hopefully another one in the Classic mix.
“All the team are running well at the moment and hopefully it will continue.”
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
