Star Of Sapphire shines at Navan Star Of Sapphire built upon the promise of a debut second in Bellewstown last week to land the opening Irish EBF Auction Series Maiden over an extended five-furlongs in Navan. Noel Meade's Starman filly went off 4/5 favourite to account for her 13 rivals and she soon tracked the leaders. Shane Foley drove her to challenge a furlong and a-half down and she grabbed the initiative over a furlong from home. The favourite was strong in the closing stages as she swept in by three lengths from All Hail (20/1) with another two and a-quarter lengths back to third-placed Chapel Lane (12/1). Foley said: "I thought it would take a fair one to beat this even the way she went down. "She jumped the gates really smart, but there was a strong headwind so I didn't want to be doing the donkey work with her and got her back in amongst them. "She picked up well and went to the line well. "She gave me a nice feel - now I know the opposition mightn't have been strong, but she's not a bad filly I'd say." The Raceday Stewards granted permission for Another Nice'day to run in accordance with the provision of Rule 90(v) as a positive identification could be made despite the discrepancies in the markings as recorded in the Passport. The Trainer has 30 days to update the passport to the satisfaction of an IHRB Veterinary Officer/Assistant. The Raceday Stewards enquired into an incident approximately one furlong from the finish involving Iriseach, ridden by J.M. Sheridan, placed fourth, and Lake Swan (GB), ridden by R. Whearty, unplaced, where it appeared R. Whearty had to check. Evidence was heard from the riders concerned. R. Whearty stated that he felt pressure from his outside and had to take a slight check. J.M. Sheridan stated that he thought he was clear of Lake Swan. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Raceday Stewards found J.M. Sheridan was in breach of Rule 214 in that he had ridden carelessly, and having considered his clean record in this regard, the Raceday Stewards suspended him for two racedays.
