Star Performer maintains unbeaten status Star Performer backs up her smooth debut success in the Darley Irish EBF Hurry Harriet Stakes over an extended nine furlongs at Gowran. A two-length curragh maiden winner, this daughter of Sea The Stars seemed to be the apparent second string for the Joseph O'Brien yard. However, Declan McDonagh rode the nibbled at 7/2 shot with confidence. After taking a position towards the rear early on, he switched her left off the home bend and began to get busier in the saddle. Doreen Tabor's promising filly quickened up to hit the front over a furlong out, and although still showing signs of greenness, the €160,000 two-year-old purchase won going away by four and a half lengths from Hollys Graces (40/1). Classiest (12/1) stayed on well from the rear, beaten five and three-quarter lengths in third. Skydance was sent off a well-backed 5/4 favourite but ultimately weakened very quickly after hitting the front on the home bend. O’Brien said, "She has done nothing wrong. She won nicely on debut and this was an obvious stepping stone. You'd have to be impressed with the manner of her victory. She's a stakes winner now. A daughter of Sea The Stars, good looking filly. Being a Listed winner, she'll obviously step into a group race now. Everything will be about trying to build that profile for her to be a nice broodmare long term." Additional reporting by John O'Riordan.
