She's A Nation gets Devine off the mark in some style Rookie trainer Rory Devine enjoyed a dream start to his career when newcomer She's A Nation made an impressive winning debut in the Silken Thomas Kildare Town Irish EBF Median Auction Maiden at the Curragh. Bagnalstown based Devine, who has only had two previous runners, struck at the headquarters of Irish Flat racing with just his third representative since taking out a licence. Smartly into stride under Luke McAteer, the 25/1 chance sat fourth, as Billy Lee led the way on Made U Blush. With the well supported market leader Boogie Inthejungle coming under pressure just after halfway, McAteer moved up to take third. Travelling ominously well in second place at the two-pole, the Donegal born jockey could afford to take a look behind him, as he knew he had the leader covered. Getting to the front well over a furlong out, the debutant quickened right away to score readily by five-lengths. “I’m absolutely delighted. We broke her as a two-year-old and put her away, we thought she was really something special,” said Devine. “Her homework was very good and coming here today we thought she had good each-way chance if nothing else. “It’s great to have my first winner here. “I rent a small yard off the Shark (Hanlon) and we have ten in at the minute. We are tipping away between Flat and national hunt. “She’s only our third runner and I don’t have the licence that long. “That will get my name out there. I rode amateur for years, and have been in the game, so this is sort of the natural progression.” Additional reporting by Gary Carson.
