Colour Blue and King team up to score

Connor King judged the fractions well and had just enough up his sleeve on front-running Colour Blue to land the four runner median auction race for three-year-olds in Killarney.

The extended mile was the trip. King hugged the rail on Colour Blue and had Lanyard for company as the race began in earnest with three furlongs to go.

Lanyard cracked at the furlong pole and could make no further headway. Davids Park though was winding up his challenge from third place. He appeared set to deliver when he raced just behind Colour Blue, but he hung slightly right and Colour Blue found the line in time. There was half a length in it between the 5/2 shot and the 2/1 joint favourite.

Successful trainer Willie McCreery said: “She was entitled to win and the 5lb claim was crucial. She’s very honest and she zipped round the corners. She got a good ride and he got a few lengths turning in. I don’t think there’s anything for her soon.”

The field was depleted to four runners from seven due to Pit Stop Mansuri and Shanooan being taken out due to the change in going to soft.

Colour Blue had shed her maiden tag in Galway last September on good ground. This was her 10th run and she now has two wins and three placings.

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes