Sanctijude gains deserved win for McCreery and Lee Sanctijude opened her account at the tenth attempt when just coming out on top in the Gowran Park Median Auction Fillies Maiden. The well-backed 7/4 favourite was sent past the front-running Fleur De Provence inside the final quarter mile by Billy Lee, but that rival rallied gamely inside the final furlong. The pair fought out an exciting finish with the Willie McCreery-trained daughter of Churchill just prevailing by a shorthead with Bofa Beach two and a quarter lengths back in third. McCreery said, “We were talking beforehand how do we win it. It was grand to get it done. Billy said he'd go forward but I said if someone wants to go forward, I'd love it to ride like a bit of work and have her come into it. That's the way it worked out, so I'm delighted. “I'm delighted for Michael and Dymphna Deegan; they're getting on a flight at 5.30 to fly out to Kenya, I think, to visit their sister who is seventy, so a nice present for them.” Quotes by John O'Riordan
