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Lavery still searching for the key to New Energy

New Energy
New Energy
© Healy Racing Photos

Fort Vega was a fifth winner of the season for Sheila Lavery when scoring at Naas yesterday but, earlier on the card, stable star New Energy was again a little disappointing in the Listed Owenstown Stud Stakes.

The New Bay colt, runner-up in last year's Irish 2,000 Guineas, has failed to add to a debut maiden win at the Curragh as a two-year-old and couldn't capitalise on a drop in class when a fast-finishing third to Cosmic Vega over seven furlongs.

Sent off 5/4 favourite, Robbie Colgan's mount was short of room behind the leaders after turning for home and, once angled out for racing room over a furlong out, came home well to be beaten just over a length and a half.

“When Robbie got a skelp into him he flew home," said an exasperated Lavery.

"He was so laid back, we've spent the last two years settling him so I don't know.

“He ran well but he should have won that with his head in his chest really, especially the way he flashed home.

“He didn't get a clear run either and he's kind of a funny horse. He still has to battle through, you'd like him to battle a bit harder.

“When Robbie got a skelp into him and it opened up he absolutely flew home, he has a massive engine.

“I'll sit down and look at the programme book. He didn't read the script today.”

Additional reporting by Gary Carson

About Mark Nunan
Mark has followed racing since he was a teenager and worked for many years as a broadcaster with the Irish version of Racecall. He joined the Press Association in 2019 and is also a contributor to the Racing Post. A native of Kildare, he now lives in Sligo.