Sarahmae may bid for hat-trick in Rockingham Sarahmae followed up a recent victory at Cork when overcoming a tardy start to land the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Handicap at Down Royal. The Denis Hogan-trained filly gave away a few lengths from stalls and still appeared to have plenty to do as Shadow Of The Moon was ridden to assert over a furlong out. However, Chris Hayes got a good response from Sarahmae inside the final furlong and got on top in the closing stages to beat fellow 9/4 joint favourite Shadow Of The Moon by two and a quarter lengths. Treasured Royal was a further two and a half lengths back in third. Hayes said, “I was hopeful, but she kind of floundered out of the gates. Denis just said, 'don't get left' and try and track. She baulked with me for kind of half a stride out of it. Now it probably worked out as we were going far too fast for the ground. "I flicked out, I wanted to keep her out on the fresh ground, but she lugged towards Wesley (Joyce, on Shadow Of The Moon) late on. "I was happy with her, and she seemed to enjoy the ground. "Denis' horses are well. The distance she won might be exaggerated because of the speed we were going, but I'd like to think if he's not too hard on her she will win again. "I'd leave that (Rockingham entry next weekend) to Denis to decide; it will depend if she comes out of it. I thought that was hard work, but obviously not when she is trying to duck and drop me after the line! "It is proper soft (ground)." Quotes by Michael Graham
