Moddy Poddle, left, outguns Baseman© Photo Healy Racing
Moddy Poddle saw off the favourite Baseman in the caulfieldindustrial.com Handicap for thre-year-olds over an extended mile in Galway.
She broke swiftly to lead from stall three and set the fractions under Chris Hayes. Baseman was driven in pursuit of her in the final quarter of a mile and the pair had the race between them in the final furlong.
Moddy Poddle was game at the head of affairs and fended off Baseman (5/2f) by three parts of a length at 9/2. Disco Boots (8/1) was three and a half lengths adrift in third.
Trainer Sheila Lavery said: “She had to be very tough. Chris said he didn't think she was in love with the ground but she was just so genuine.
“My God she battled back when Colin (Keane on Baseman) came upsides her.
“I wasn't sure whether this track would suit her but the thing about Galway is that you get three-year-old only handicaps, it's lovely that you're not having to take on older horses.
“She's a progressive filly and I think she's still progressing.
“When Chris was going out he said 'what about the ground?' and I said 'I don't know, we'll know after the race'.”
The winner is also entered here on Saturday and Lavery added: “I'll do right by the filly. She's only a three-year-old and she's had a really tough race. I'll talk to the owner and see how she comes out of it.
“I think she's progressive so I wouldn't like to dip her again but she'll tell me.”
Moddy Poddle was supplementing a Gowran Park success last month.
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
