Gamble landed as Melia gets off the mark

Damien Melia recorded his first winner as he partnered the gambled on Sretaw to victory in the Stephen Quirke Memorial Apprentice Handicap.

The nineteen-year-old from Monasterevin is based with Mick Halford and he was having just his fourth career ride aboard the Gavin Cromwell trained victor.

A 14/1 chance with Paddy Power this morning, the four-year-old daughter of Kalanisi was backed from 11/1 to 9/2 joint-favourite on-course.

She chased the leaders in the early stages and she was ridden into second under two furlongs out.

She came with her challenge a furlong and a half from home, hitting the front under a furlong out, keeping on well from there to score by a length and three parts. Iron Major finished in second at 10/1 under Ray Dawson for Eddie Lynam, while Fulminata (the other joint-favourite) was a length and a quarter back in third under Killian Hennessy.

The winner was recording her second career success this afternoon having won at Gowran on her penultimate start.

Additional reporting by Alan Magee