Sarahmae makes the breakthrough & may bid for quick follow-up Sarahmae provided Denis Hogan with his first winner of the Flat campaign, as she comfortably accounted for five rivals in the Follow @tipperaryraces Handicap. A E20,000 yearling purchase, the Magna Grecia bay was unplaced in five previous starts and was sent off an easy-to-back 13/2 chance (drifted from 4s) today. Fifth early on under Joey Sheridan, she took closer order on the far side from halfway. Pushed along to lead over a furlong out, the 61-rated victor kept on well when ridden in the closing stages, coming home a length and a half to the good. Supported from 16s to 17/2 late on, Steel Magnolia filled the runner-up spot under Nathan Crosse for Willie McCreery, while Tomarlo, who was 8/15 in early shows, was a neck away in third at 11/4. Returned the 11/8 favourite, from 10s early, Raising The Flag trailed home in rear. "We thought a bit of her last year and we just kept bringing her back in trip," Hogan reflected. "She didn't break the bank and we own half of her with Mike and Tony O'Brien, who are big owners of mine. "She is entered at Naas on Monday but might need this penalty to get in. She likes an ease in the ground so will run if she gets in." STEWARDS REPORT * The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Raising The Flag, trained by M.C. Grassick, at the request of the Raceday Stewards and reported the animal to be post race normal. Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes
