Moon shines with debut win

Apricot Moon made a taking winning debut at odds of 20/1 at Dundalk today as the Andy Oliver trained filly landed the Irish Stallion Farms EBF (Fillies) Maiden from a wide draw in 16, under jockey Bill Lee.

The daughter of Bated Breath was last in the early stages but once switched to the outer early in the home straight, picked up very well in the closing stages. Apricot Moon moved to the front inside the final furlong before eventually beating Moll by a neck.

A delighted Oliver later reported “she's a lovely, a big scopey filly and she was one we were looking forward to.

“When we saw the draw (16) we thought being first time out, and with greenness, it would be hard to do.

“In fairness to Billy he's great in those situations. He always rides the individual, rides to the pace. He realised he was going to be left too wide and slotted her in at the end.

“To do what she did, coming from stone last on the turn up the straight, first time out was good and was impressive. She's one to look forward to and I'm very happy.

“On paper beforehand it looked a solid maiden. We did like her and thought we had something coming.

“I'm not sure there's that much more for her; there might be a winners' of one in the New Year, I haven't really looked much beyond this. She's having a good blow there so we'll see where we go.

“Whatever she does as a two-year-old she's one to look forward to next year. We'll take it one step at a time and to win first time out was very satisfactory.”

Quotes from Gary Carson