Terrific proves too good for Gorteo© Photo Healy Racing
Terrific who cost 1,300,000 Guineas at Tattersalls last October, got off the mark on the second time of asking, as she took the opener at the Curragh, the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Maiden, for Joseph and Aidan O’Brien.
The bay daughter of Galileo finished twelfth of sixteen on her debut over the course on Derby weekend, over twelve lengths behind the winner Avenue Gabriel
Her initial effort came over seven furlongs, and upped in trip to a mile, and fitted with blinkers for the first time, she went off the well-supported 9/4 second favourite (4/1 this morning and opened at 7/2 on-course).
The full-sister to Together (won a Group 1 in America for O’Brien), made virtually all today, kicking for home two furlongs out, and staying on well inside the final furlong to see off the challenge of the 2/1 favourite, Gorteo and Johnny Murtagh, by half a length.
Afternoon Delight (11/2) ran a nice race on her debut, completing the placings five lengths back under Pat Smullen for Dermot Weld.
Aidan O’Brien said afterwards: "She was very green on her debut, that’s why she wore blinkers today.
"She was unusually green, and she tried to stop in the middle of the race, she must have spooked at something.
"The blinkers helped her concentrate today.
"She is well-bred and we’ve always liked her. She is smart filly and she could be anything."
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
