Miss Meagher upsets better fancied duo to land fillies maiden

The Barry Fitzgerald trained Miss Meagher took a significant step forward from her initial outing when staying on strongly to win the BoyleSports Acca Rewards Fillies Maiden at Down Royal.

Although the betting market suggested that this principally concerned two horses, Betula (evens) and Kailasa (7/4), both found one too strong in the race itself.

Only eighth on her racecourse debut over a mile at Gowran Park, Miss Meagher seemed much better suited to this shorter trip.

Breaking well under Luke McAteer, the daughter of Galileo Gold sat second just off the leader Kailasa. Market leader Betula was a further three places behind under Shane Foley.

With two furlongs to run, Foley was pushing away on the latter, as McAteer loomed up alongside Kailasa to press for the lead.

Edging ahead over a furlong out, the eventual winner kept on well to prevail by two-and-a-half lengths. Betula stayed on for pressure, taking second close home.

Barry Fitzgerald said: "It just didn't happen the first day in Gowran, probably just a little bit green.

"We rectified things when we went home and Rory that rides her out did a good job on her at home, and got her where she is today.

"She did handle that quicker ground, she was very good there and Luke gave her a super ride. Luke is riding well at the moment and, when you are riding well, you get rides and winners.

"She stepped forward fairly well from the first day. She showed plenty at home before the first day as well, so I was expecting a big step forward (today). She's a good filly."

Additional reporting by Michael Graham.