Qualify (Joseph O'Brien) easily winning the fillies maiden© Photo Healy Racing
Joseph O’Brien made the overnight trip back from the States worthwhile when partnering Qualify to a facile success in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Maiden at Dundalk.
The daughter of Fastnet Rock showed plenty of promise on her opening two outings, notably when third in the Group 3 Silver Flash Stakes at Leopardstown, and readily justified odds of 4/5 in this seven-furlong event.
O’Brien’s mount made all the running, and was in total control from over a furlong out to score by over five lengths. Foolish Ways filled the runner-up berth, with Blue Fragrance another two lengths back in third.
Joseph O’Brien said, "She's a lovely filly and she won easy. She's well entitled to a step up in grade."
O’Brien put up 1lb overweight at 9st1lb here but still insisted that he can do the weight of 8st12lb on Australia in the Juddmonte International at York on Wednesday.
The champion jockey finished second on Magician in the Arlington Million last night, and commented, “He ran a blinder. I got back this morning."
(AM & MG)
