Cody finds good opportunity for Lady Lunette

Lady Lunette was much too good for the opposition in the fillies' and mares' maiden over a mile at Gowran Park.

She was just pipped by the minimum margin of a nose over the same trip in Limerick last month which saw her go off 2/1 favourite today.

The Buratino filly was settled behind the pace and improved under two furlongs from home where she was bumped by Beauty Bella

She soon led under Dylan Browne McMonagle and asserted inside the final furlong before clearing right away to win by a decisive four and three-quarter lengths. Muhaarar's Girl tried to go after her, but was readily outgunned in second at 5/1, however, there was merit in her effort as she was some five and a-half lengths clear of Sarah Purser (20/1).

Ray Cody said: "It's a local winner and it's brilliant for the owners (Ms K Curtin) as they've had no luck for a long time. It's a long time since they've had a winner and they are really good owners to have. I'm delighted for them.

“She's a progressive filly, I'd say she's next year's filly. She's a big, tall, raw, filly and I'd say there is loads to come down the line.

“At home she only does what she has to do, but Dylan said she has loads of pace. I thought she might want further, but Dylan said a mile plenty is plenty far enough for the time being.

“She probably won't have too many more runs this year. There is a race in Galway on the Sunday and I thought if she won today we might think about it so we'll see. It's an 80 handicap.

“The ground was a little worry as Buratinos like nice ground, but Dylan said she handled it no bother - that's the slowest ground she's ever run on. She's a nice filly.”

Additional reporting by Gary Carson