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Victoria Kesia makes experience count to land her maiden

Victoria Kesia and Gary Carroll. Victoria Kesia and Gary Carroll.
© Healy Racing Photos

Joseph Murphy's Victoria Kesia belatedly lost her maiden status when keeping on best under Gary Carroll to win the Sinbin Events Maiden at Limerick.

Having her 10th career start, the four-year-old daughter of Territories had to call on all that previous experience to open her account.

Tracking the pace in fifth early on, as Freelance Dancer led under Nathan Crosse, Victoria Kesia travelled strongly into the straight.

As Buckle And Bolts took over in front, Carroll had to wait for a gap at the two-furlong pole before moving into contention. First, Shaool and then, Navy Waters had a spell in the lead, before Victoria Kesia edged ahead close home.

At the finish, the Murphy trained filly had half-a-length to spare over Navy Waters, with Shaool the same distance back in third.

Winning trainer Joseph Murphy said: "She deserved it although her owner Tony Auld, who is based in Stanstead, came over the last day when we thought she'd win.

"That's her level and she never runs a bad race - except the days you expect her to win! We don't know why that is, but I think she wants further and soft ground."

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes.

1st
5/1
Tote €6.40 €1.30
2nd
0.5L
6/1
€2.50
3rd
0.5L
10/11Fav
€1.02
4th
1.75L
8/1
About John O'Riordan
John has worked for the Press Association since 2022. He also writes a weekly column for The Irish Field and is a regular contributor to the Irish Racing Yearbook. He has previously written for the Racing Post, Irish Examiner and Irish Daily Mirror. He has been involved in racing for over three decades; having experience as a syndicate member, sole owner and breeder.