Viadera wins the opener on Derby day at the Curragh under Colin Keane© Photo Healy Racing
Ger Lyons saddled his first winner for Khalid Abdullah as Viadera marked herself down as an exciting prospect with a debut victory in the Dubai Duty Free Finest Surprise Irish EBF Maiden.
The 11/2 chance, backed in from 8/1 on track, was slowly into stride and got a little unbalanced when switched left to challenge under two furlongs out.
The daughter of Bated Breath still had plenty to do at the furlong pole but fairly ate up the ground in the closing stages to score under Colin Keane. U S S Michigan was a half-length back in second with Darkash just a head further away in third.
The 5/4 favourite Mount Tabora was pushed along before halfway by Ryan Moore and eventually kept on to finish fifth.
Lyons said, “That’s huge for us. It’s the second runner for them. I did something last night which I wouldn’t normally do as I rang Colin Keane at half eleven and said am I doing the right thing tomorrow and he said relax boss she’s grand!
“I was just worried about the ground being too quick. She’s a filly we like and obviously she’s going to want seven and a bit further. We had her in the race last night but we knew the filly we ran in that race (Queen Medb, finished second) couldn’t handle six so that’s why we divided them.
“I just wanted a nice introduction on nice ground on a straight track and win her maiden next time. She hit the line strong and ran right down to the boards. There should be huge improvement in her going forward.
“I’ve been training 25 years and to have those colours winning for us is a proud day. Ultimately I’m always thinking Stakes races but she’ll tell me and it will be baby steps.”
Betfair and Paddy Power both introduced Viadera at 33/1 for next year's 1000 Guineas.
