Tartan Skirt and Leigh Roche (navy and red) beat Secret Magician (purple and yellow) © Photo Healy Racing
The 4/6 favourite Tartan Skirt was a ready winner of the Irish EBF Median Sires Series Maiden in the hands of Leigh Roche.
The daughter of Mehmas, fourth on debut at Punchestown last month, raced close to the pace from the outset. She was always travelling within herself and, after hitting the front inside the final quarter mile, stretched away under a hand ride to beat outsiders Secret Magician and Rules of Atraction by two lengths and two and a quarter lengths.
It's been a good couple of days for Roche and winning owner/trainer Michael O’Callaghan after Twilight Jet’s victory in the Group 3 Cornwallis Stakes at Newmarket on Friday.
“She's a lovely filly, she ran a lovely race first time out in Punchestown and has improved plenty since then,” said O’Callaghan
“She's a filly that has done a good bit of growing and maturing in the last six weeks and I'd say she'll even be better next spring. We might put her away now.
“She has plenty of pace but I can see her maybe getting seven for a Guineas trial next spring. She obviously handled that ground today but she would like nicer ground.
“She has a bit of class, she's by a good stallion, and I think she'll keep on improving. I'm delighted with her.”
Quotes from Gary Carson
