Alpheratz goes one better for Carroll and Murphy

Alpheratz looked a smart prospect for trainer Joseph Murphy when landing the Irish EBF Median Sires Fillies Maiden at Gowran Park.

Sent off 11/8f on the back of a promising debut when runner-up at Thurles earlier this month, the Phoenix Of Spain filly led over two furlongs out under Gary Carroll. Lively Set led the field into the straight, closely tracked by Still Rolling However, once Carroll asked Alpheratz to join them at the two pole, she quickly asserted and went clear. Galileo Dame emerged from the pack to run on late but she was never getting to the easy one-and-a-half length winner.

“She's a very nice filly going forward, we love her,” said Murphy.

“That's her for the year, she's in the Eyrefield but it's too soon. She's a growing filly.

“Gary said she did it very easy, she quickened up when he wanted and might have hit the front too soon but he said he had plenty of horse there.

“She's just a good filly. It was a nice run the last day and to do that back-to-back is what you want. We'll leave her alone until next year and see what happens.”

Additional reporting by Gary Carson