Snowy Winter leads home Hence© Photo Healy Racing
UK raider Snowy Winter just held on to take the feature at Gowran this evening, the Listed Irish Stallion Farms EBF Hurry Harriet Stakes.
Trained by Archie Watson, and successful five times last year, the daughter of Elusive Quality was last seen finishing second in a Listed contest at York.
Having opened on-course at 40/1, the Boadicea Bloodstock owned victor eventually went off a 25/1 chance under Gary Carroll.
After breaking smartly to lead, she soon settled behind the leaders, before improving again on the outer to hit the front from the two furlong pole.
She was ridden from there, and just done enough to hold off the late surge of Hence (14s to 10s) and Padraig Beggy by a nose.
The Joseph O'Brien trained Dynabee (16/1) was another half a length back in third. Curly and Lagostovegas (from 14s this morning) were sent off the 9/2 joint-favourites. The former was fourth, while the well-backed latter raced well off the pace in last, and eventually finished a disappointing eleventh.
"I have to thank my agent, Kevin O'Ryan, as he got me the ride," said Carroll.
"It's great. I was talking to Archie this morning and he was quite confident and told me to ride her plenty positive and be confident.
"I did and I committed early. She toughed it out, she only just held on and I'd say it's as far as she wants.
"Looking through the race there were plenty of unexposed horses, you wouldn't know what they were, but we had plenty of experience and I was happy enough to use that.
"We went a good gallop, I was up as close as I could and I committed early. She really ground it out and while that might have caught out inexperienced fillies she knew her game and it paid dividends today.
"Archie has a great strike rate in England at the minute. I hope he sends more over and lets me ride them!
"Since Galway, thank God, things have been going very well and it would be great if I could keep it going to the end of the season, I'd be delighted."
STEWARDS REPORTS
S. Foley, rider of Muirin trained by Edward Lynam, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount never travelled throughout.
C.D. Hayes, rider of Polly Glide trained by Lee Smyth, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount was hampered in the straight.
The Stewards enquired into possible interference in the straight involving Polly Glide, ridden by C.D. Hayes, unplaced, Beach Wedding ridden by R.P. Cleary, placed fifth, Hence, ridden by P.B. Beggy, placed second and Park Bloom ridden by K.J. Manning, unplaced, where it appeared Polly Glide ran short of room. Evidence was heard from the riders concerned. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards made no alteration to the Judge's placings and took no further action other than to advise R.P. Cleary to ride with more care in future.
The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Lagostovegas, trained by W.P. Mullins, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be post race normal.
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
