Murphy’s Law for Naas punters
Euphrasia made every yard of the running under Gary Carroll to turn over La Collina and odds-on favourite Princess Highway in the four-runner, Group 3 Blue Wind Stakes while Big Time got the better of fellow newcomers representing Ballydoyle and Coolcullen in the five-runner Fisjhery Lane 2-Y-0 Race.
Having dictated the pace, tracked by 8/13 favourite Princess Highway, Euphrasia had her nearest rival in trouble two furlongs from home and, staying on stoutly up the Naas hill, scored by two lengths as La Collina came through late to grab second spot.
“We’ve always loved this filly and she has always shown us a lot at home,” explained the winning trainer. “We had all sorts of races in mind for her. But, when we saw only three declared for this yesterday morning we had to let her take her chance. We were happy when some rain arrived.
“She’s a good-actioned filly, very genuine and still learning. She doesn’t have a lot of big entries, but there are plenty of races for her. After tonight, we can take our time making plans.”
The Fishery Lane 2-Y-0 Race proved a cracker and provided trainer John Murphy with his second juvenile success of the season (from only three runners) as Big Time, 16/1 outsider of the five-runners, got the better of fellow debutants Fountain Of Youth and Club Wexford in the style of a potentially smart performer.
Ridden by Shane Foley, the son of Kheleyf scored by a length and a half from the Ballydoyle representative with the fast-finishing favourite only a short-head away third.
“He’s a fine big fellow and a serious racehorse,” declared a delighted Murphy. He’s so big we though he’d be a colt for the backend. But he has been working so well that we knew he was ready to run.
“On better ground he’ll show even more and we might think about the Coventry now — he needs quick ground.”
Eddie Lynam, in Singapore to saddle Balmont Mast in a Group 1 sprint at the weekend, missed seeing Gathering Power and Boston Rocker provide his yard with a one-two in the valuable Woodlands 100 Club Handicap over six furlongs.
The Kyllachy filled swooped late under Fergal Lynch, prompting her owner David Power to comment: “It’s a good way to break her maiden.”
Lynch said: “I probably should have won the Birdcatcher on her here and she definitely deserved a change of luck.”
Wining trainer Lynam was also responsible for 6/1 joint-favourite Yulong Baoju, which finished in mid-division.
