THE Paddy Twomey-trained La Isla Mujeres justified her purchase price when bagging a listed victory in the Racing TV Irish EBF Lenebane Stakes at Roscommon on Tuesday evening.
The Lope De Vega filly was bought for £330,000 by Moyglare Stud at the Tattersalls December Mare Sale last year and enhanced her value by picking up blacktype.
Billy Lee led early on the 7/2 shot before following Serious Challenge after a couple of furlongs.
She travelled well to hit the front over two furlongs out and post a comprehensive three-and-a-half length win over Cristal Clere.
“She had some nice form last year and I knew she’d come on plenty for her first run,” said Twomey.
“The ground was a bit tight that day at the Curragh and I hadn’t killed her going there as she had a couple of hard years with Ralph (Beckett) and I wanted to give her a chance.
“They are a good farm and she was bought as a potential broodmare to add to their band.
“It was important she got blacktype and she has, which is fantastic.
“She’s a listed winner now so we’ll have a look at a fillies’ Group 3 somewhere, probably a mile and a half.
“She has a bit of pedigree and she has plenty of ability so we’ll pick our spots carefully.”
Double
Lee was completing a double on the card having also scored earlier on Gosford for Eddie Lynam in the second division of the Leo Dolan Memorial Handicap.
The 5/1 joint-favourite had to switch out to get a run at the furlong marker before getting up late on to score by half a length from Saffredi.
“It worked out well. We went quick and I was flat out to the bottom bend but once we turned in he came on the bridle. I just had to ride for a lot of luck then,” said Lee.
“He’s a grand little horse and if he doesn’t get knocked out of that bracket, he’ll hopefully win another one.”
Lee subsequently picked up a two-day careless riding ban for his manoeuvre at the furlong pole.
The first division of that 47-65 event saw 14/1 shot Scarlet Dancer make most of the running and record a cosy win under Siobhan Rutledge.
John McConnell’s charge stayed on strongly in the closing stages to post a three-and-a-half length win over Golden Days.
Rutledge said: “He jumped out of the gates really well and I just tried to settle him in front because he can be keen going.
“In fairness to him he stuck it out well, I thought the trip might stretch him a bit but he was game all the way to the line, pulling him up was the only problem I had.”
COLIN Keane and Ger Lyons had a good night at the midlands track, securing a treble together on the card.
Serious Notions was the first of their haul when gaining a deserved success in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Maiden.
The 2/1 favourite took it up turning for home and stayed on strongly in the closing stages to post a five-and-a-half length win over Castanets.
“She was entitled to do that, she obviously got her blacktype as a two-year-old (when third in the Ingabelle Stakes),” said Shane Lyons.
“The owners (Gaynor Bloodstock) have been very patient with her. They are Irish/American and spend six months of the year over here and six months back in America. Unfortunately. they’ve gone back to America. We’ll see what they want to do.
“That’s box ticked now so we’ll go and make a plan for the rest of the year and enjoy the year if she’s not sold.”
The progressive Sumptuary Law struck for the Glenburnie team in the Dermot Hughes Car Sales Handicap, recording a hat-trick in the process.
Real trier
Keane produced the 5/1 shot to lead under two furlongs from home and she stuck on well in the closing stages, beating Gibbs Island by half a length in the competitive 10-furlong contest.
Shane Lyons said: “We’re delighted for Cian and Con Kennedy, who are our vets at home. It’s a great result for them.
“She’s a real trier and the improvement came with the step up in trip. We thought the handicapper was a bit hard on her with 8lb for her last win but the step up in trip has coincided with that.
“We’ll keep trying with her this year. She’s a light filly and the lads said they’ll keep her in training. Next year we’ll worry about breeding and what not.”
The treble was completed when another horse, Neptunes Staircase, gained an overdue win in the concluding mile-and-a-half maiden.
He went on early in the straight under Keane and the 13/8 favourite went on to post an easy nine-and-a-half length win.
Shane Lyons said: “It’s been a very good night’s work and we’re delighted with that.
“We thought he would have broken his duck before now but he’s been running on heavy ground over extended trips.
“Maybe with weakness and everything it just took time for him to be able to get it together on real beautiful ground here.”
THE Joseph O’Brien-trained Green Triangle made no mistake at the third time of asking when justifying his short price in fine style in the opening auction series maiden.
Dylan Browne McMonagle settled the 8/15 shot behind the leaders and he received a bump after about three furlongs sending him wide on the bend.
It was plain sailing in the straight through as he led a furlong and a half from home and opened up to score by four and a quarter lengths.
Stable representative Sean Corby said afterwards: “He did it well. He’s had two pretty decent runs before and looked to win quite well today.
“Dylan said turning out of the back, the one on his inside didn’t really turn that well and it just shot him a bit wide but from there on everything went pretty smooth.”
The finish of the night came in the Sweeney Oil Handicap as Out On Friday just held on by the narrowest of margins.
Wesley Joyce made all on Philip Byrne’s charge and after kicking passing the two pole the 14/1 shot clung on at the death to beat Slieve Binnian by a nose.
“It was a super ride by Wesley. He’s an enterprising brave young rider. He got things just right and was very strong in the finish,” said Byrne.
“I’m delighted for the owner/breeder Tony Deegan. He’s very lucky to have a horse like him. He’s a very sound horse and he shows up. That’s the seventh win of his career so he is a super horse.”