WINIATA (right) and Niall McCullagh take the last at Leopardstown.© Photo Healy Racing
Winiata (8s into 5/1 on course) was yet another well-backed winner as she took the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies’ Handicap under Niall McCullagh.
She was half a length ahead of Cuban Surfer (13/2) at the line, with the 7/2 favourite Heliac another short head back in third.
The daughter of Society Rock, a maiden winner last year at Limerick, was continuing a fine run of form for her trainer Johnny Murtagh.
The winning trainer’s wife Orla was the successful owner as her filly landed a very competitive finale.
Johnny Murtagh said afterwards: “It's great to get a winner for the most important owner in the yard.
“She's tough and she's hardy. She's been running well in her last couple of races. I thought she was a miler but it looks like she's going to stay well.
“Niall said she got the mile-and-a-quarter really well today, battled it out, and she'll get a mile-and-a-half no problems.
“She's won two now, she's paid her way, and we'll see what the handicapper does.
“That was a nice pot, for fillies only, and we'll give it another shot again.”
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
