Donal Murphy
Listed honours for progressive Fix You
Fix You is pushed out by Seamie Heffernan to beat Mauiewowie
© Photo Healy Racing
UK raider Fix You made it three wins from five starts, as she claimed the Goffs Irish EBF Polonia Stakes.
A winner on debut at Thirsk last year, the Alice Haynes trained chestnut was second on her return to action at Kempton last month, taking a handicap at Nottingham on her most recent outing.
Available at 14/1 in early shows for this Listed prize, the Amo Racing owned victor came in for plenty of market support, before easing late on from 5/2 to 10/3.
In second early under Seamie Heffernan, she improved to the front with over two furlongs to race, keeping on well when ridden from the furlong pole, going on to score by a length-and-a-half.
Returned the 5/2 favourite (from 10/3), Mauiewowie filled the runner-up spot under Colin Keane for Ger Lyons, while Treasure Trove (3/1) made late gains to take third, another length-and-a-half behind.
"She is genuine in that slow ground which was a big help to her," Heffernan said.
"I rang the trainer and she gave me loads of confidence and said 'sit where you are comfortable and go'.
"It is nice to be in these colours, they have the right people picking and training the horses and Kia (Joorabchian) pays the bills so deserves luck."
He added: "I know Robson Aguiar and the other Brazilian lads and when they put me on a horse which suits my style of riding, they shove me into it. It was nice to be on the steering jobs.
"They find the horses, have Kia paying for them and are good at their job but you still need luck.
"She has improved, has strengthened and is likeable."
Winning trainer Haynes was recording her second Listed success in Ireland, having landed the Marwell Stakes at Naas last season with Lady Hollywood, who coincidentally also beat Mauiewowie into second.
STEWARDS REPORT
A.J. Slattery, rider of Lady Tilbury (GB), trained by David Marnane, reported to the Clerk of the Scale that his mount fly leapt from the stalls.
The Raceday Stewards enquired into an incident at around the furlong marker involving Basil Martini ridden by D.P. McDonogh, and Fix You (GB), ridden by J.A. Heffernan where it appeared Fix You shifted right taking the ground of Basil Martini. Evidence was heard from the riders concerned. D.P. McDonogh stated that he had to maneuvre slightly right after getting pressure from the left. J.A. Heffernan stated that his filly shifted slightly right but was corrected immediately. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Raceday Stewards did not apportion blame to any rider and they took no further action.
Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes