Evergreen McCullagh lands October Handicap on Melburnian

Melburnian (10/1) gained her first win on Irish soil when landing the Tote October Premier Handicap under Niall McCullagh.

Twice a winner in France last year, the four-year-old daughter of Zambezi Sun has been gradually improving in recent starts and was a very good second in a good-class fillies’ handicap at Newmarket earlier in the month.

From a good draw, she travelled sweetly to move into contention early in the straight and ran on well to defeat the consistent Halimi (6/1) by a decisive two and three quarter lengths. Future Proof (8/1) and Lynwood Gold (33/1) completed the placings, with the 5/1 favourite Pearl Warrior fading to finish tenth having led to the straight.

The winner is owned by the Back For More ATB Syndicate, some of whom were involved in the ownership of 2016 Melbourne Cup runner-up Heartbreak City.

“She's a filly that I got this time last year and it took a long time to get into her head. She's just a bit hard on herself,” said Martin.

“She was a bit unlucky the last day in Newmarket but it all came right today. She's been threatening to so that since Listowel and it's great it worked out it's just a pity the lads weren't here.

“It's a great pot to land. She's only four, she wasn't big and backward but in her head she was and she's a nice filly going forward next year, I'd say.”

Additional reporting by Gary Carson