Pollenca bags maiden success Pollenca (10/1) put herself in the shop window today when landing the Curragh’s Mental Health Matters Fillies Maiden for father-and-son, trainer-and-jockey Andy and Andrew Slattery. A half-sister to Group-placed Zuenoon (later ‘Kyrus Unicorn’ in Hong Kong), the daughter of Oasis Dream went in pursuit of leader and previously-Group 3-placed Signora with a furlong to race and finished well to beat that rival by 1.75 lengths. Trainer Andy Slattery stated “I expected that, to be honest. She had a nice run in Dundalk where she probably should have won, as she ran green and we decided to put her away for this race. I’d have been disappointed if she was beaten as she’s a nice filly. “He got caught a bit further back than he wanted but was always going to win once she started rallying. I think she’s a nice filly and she’ll have stamina to stay a mile and maybe 1m2f. “You could say she’d go for a Guineas trial but I think she’d be better at a mile. That seven furlongs is the least she wants and today’s (heavy) ground made the difference. The owners (Halley family) are sellers so I might not have her too long.” Quotes from Gary Carson
