Zheleznaya Dama makes all in Naas The Brendan Duke-trained Zheleznaya Dama (12/1) was a gutsy winner of the Matchbook Handicap at Naas for jockey Rory Cleary. The daughter of Saxon Warrior was collared late on her last start in Killarney but, under a well-judged ride by jockey Rory Cleary, she managed to gain victory by a neck from the onrushing Bear Right. Speaking after the race, Duke said: “She deserved that, she’s been running really well,” said Duke. “I might have made a mistake turning her out quickly at Killarney. It’s so difficult with these low-grade horses finding races for them. “A mile is her trip. I thought I might get away with six-and-a-half in Limerick and it probably cost me the race in Killarney. It was a little bit quick turnaround. “I thought she ran her heart out in Killarney. “I kind of have it in my head for her, the juvenile hurdle on the 27th of December in Leopardstown. I won it with Leagan Gaeilge (2019). “She’s a very good jumper and she would appreciate an ease in the ground. If I want to go to Leopardstown on Amy’s (daughter) birthday I need to have a fairly good reason. “We’re having a good run at the moment, thank God, it’s a big relief. People are actually thinking that I’m not a complete muppet now at the moment!” (Quotes from Tom Weekes)
