Ridge routs rivals in Listed contest Carla Ridge proved a different class to her rivals in the featured Darley Irish EBF Brigid’s Pastures Stakes at the Curragh this afternoon as she powered clear for a wide margin success. Chris Hayes tracked the leaders on the 10/3 favourite in the Listed contest before letting her hit the front passing the two pole. The New Bay filly, trained by Eddie and Patrick Harty, was sent clear over a furlong home and galloped on strongly to post a 10-length success. Navassa Island kept on to claim second. Patrick Harty said:- “We were debating this morning whether we’d run her or not. “We had initially said we wouldn’t run if there was heavy in the description. The choice was here, Newmarket or the paddock. We said this was on our doorstep so we’d take the chance. “Maybe we’ve gotten it wrong all year. We were both in agreement, there were no rows about it, and Dan Kiely was great and said he’d leave it up to us. There was no pressure. “I don’t think we got it wrong about the ground. Chris said she got away with it but didn’t love it. “If you took out her run in the Bold Lad, where she was lucky to stand up, she probably should have been odds-on favourite today. “In my eyes I thought she was the best horse in the race by a margin and I guess she just did what we hoped she would do. “I had thought one more run, as in today, and that would be her finished for the season, and she’d be a beautiful four-year-old. “Given how well she handled the conditions maybe we’ll look at another option but we’ll see how she comes out of the race. “She’s been so unlucky not to win a Group or Listed race so far this season. It’s great for the filly to actually win it.”
