Prairie Girl back to winning ways in Dundalk opener The Danny Murphy-trained Prairie Girl made it two wins from her last three starts at the track when staying on best to land the opening Floodlit Fridays At Dundalk Stadium Apprentice Handicap. Successful over course and distance on her penultimate start, the John Kirkland and Mrs James Ryan-owned filly also passed the post in front last time but was subsequently demoted to second place. Smartly into stride here under Patrick McGettigan, the well backed 9/4f (from 3/1), chased Dontspoilasale in the early stages before throwing down a strong challenge early in the straight. Ridden to lead over a furlong out, Prairie Girl kept on strongly to win by two-and-a-half lengths from Woolridge. Patrick McGettigan said: "She did (get into a good rhythm) - I wanted to make sure I was out and gone because I knew there was going to be plenty of pace. "She is a quick filly, so it worked out lovely. "Definitely (get six furlongs) - I thought I was going to get swallowed up and then she found another gear when I got stuck into her, so I think six shouldn't be an issue but, for now, five seems fine. "Definitely (filly going places), she is improving a lot." Additional reporting by Michael Graham.
