Deo Vero off the mark for Geary

Deo Vero progressed from a debut ninth in a Curragh maiden to land the Irish EBF Auction Series Maiden in Roscommon.

She encountered an extended seven furlongs here and jockey Chris Hayes was eager to get her motoring from mid-division inside the two pole.

There wasn't much room to operate in, though, but when she got daylight she readily moved into a threatening position at the furlong marker.

She came to tackle and pass Green Triangle inside the final 100 yards and kept him at bay by half a length.

The winner was returned at 7/2 from the 9/2 runner-up. There was a significant gap of four and a-half lengths back to Boyne Valley in third at 25/1.

David Geary said: “I'm delighted with that. We thought the last day was a lovely introduction, even though she didn't get the breaks. I couldn't have asked for a better day out.

“I don't think she's too bad, she's been working well at home. I was wondering today if we were going to get going at all, Chris says she's still a bit green but I'm very happy with that.

“I think there is a winners of one in Leopardstown in the middle of June and we'll see how that goes. Hopefully the plan is to try and get a bit of black-type.

“We'll see how this race works out over time as well.

“She's a grand lady. Chris said she missed the break again today, I wouldn't mind but she's been out through the stalls during the week.

“I was thinking she'd be handy today, because she's on the steel, but her timing isn't great as she breaks fast at home but missed it there. We'll work on that.”

Additional reporting by Gary Carson