Athena shows her Amazing side to leave behind disappointing debut

Towards the rear on debut behind the hugely impressive Babouche at Cork just over three weeks back, Amazing Athena came on significantly to take the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Maiden at Naas.

It was looking good for connections and backers of Tempest Star with that one making a bold bid to assert from over furlong out.

However 'the finishers' were on the near-side, chief among which was the Johnny Murtagh-trained and Ben Coen-ridden 25/1 chance Amazing Athena. She got up to score by half a length.

“She ran so bad first time out but she was very green, never got into the race and Ben said she was all over the place,” said Murtagh on the Mark Dobbin-owned daughter of Mehmas.

“Her work had been consistently good and I was expecting a bit better so I was coming here hoping today.

“Fast ground and five furlongs really suits her. We think she's a nice filly and she's sure to improve with a bit of racing as well.

“She'll probably go for a winners of one or a stakes race now. She has a nice pedigree, her half-sister (Basil Martini) is a Group 3 winner so we'll try and do something similar with her.”

(GC & EM)