Maeda Matsu confirms debut promise at Naas Maeda Matsu (7/1) was an impressive winner of the Irish EBF Median Sires Series Fillies Maiden for jockey Rory Cleary to give trainer Sheila Lavery her first success of the season. The daughter of Dubawi Legend was an eye-catching second on her debut in the Ballyhane Stakes at 100/1, behind Livenka, and she followed up on that debut promise with victory today. Maeda Matsu was on the pace with favourite Silver Kiss throughout, but it was Cleary's mount travelling much the better. After hitting the front she lugged in slightly, but defeat was never in question as she stayed on to win by three-quarters of a length. Speaking after the race, Lavery said: “It’s just pure relief. The horses have been running fantastic, we’ve been touched off in big handicaps, but that is my first winner this year and that’s a bit scary. I’m thrilled. “Obviously we got a few calls about her, but John is very happy to hold on to her. It’s great as you kind of need a flagship. “She was very green in front and Rory wasn’t hard on her. I would think I’d be looking at the Ingabelle for her, that’s why I stepped her up so quickly to seven. “Rory said she could win at six but that she’d be okay over seven. “She’s not in any of the big races, hopefully she’ll be a stunning filly for next year. “Rory said he didn’t even pick it up and give her a backhander. “She leaned in but it wasn’t ungenuine, it was just pure greenness. “I tend not to take them off the bridle and they learn on the track. Rory said at the end the penny was starting to drop and it was the same in the Ballyhane.” When asked if she surprised them with her effort in the Ballyhane Stakes, she added: “We were very hopeful of a really big run because we’ve always really liked her, but it was first time out against some 90-rated horses. We were thrilled. “Were we expecting to be second? No. We were quietly expecting to be in the money, but we weren’t saying anything to anybody.” (Quotes from Gary Carson)
