O'Brien's Fortuna Vega lands gamble in Fillies Handicap Having been well supported in the pre-race betting market, the Joseph O'Brien trained Fortuna Vega landed a tidy gamble when winning the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Handicap at Leopardstown. An eye-catcher when staying on late over seven-furlongs on her turf debut, the three-year-old was bred to appreciate this step up in trip. Backed from 7/1 down to 11/4f, the Wayne Hassett partnered filly tracked the leaders early on, as Pepper Noir set the fractions. Fifth entering the straight, Hassett went third over a furlong out, as James Ryan kicked on race leader. Closing the gap to go second at the furlong pole, Fortuna Vega stayed on strongly for Hassett to lead over 50 yards from the finish. Wayne Hassett said: “I know she’s small but she’s a really tough filly. She stayed the mile and two out lovely, better than expected. “I had a lovely position the whole way around and I was really just a passenger. “She has a big heart and all she wants to do is stay galloping.” Additional reporting by Alan Magee.
