Nika Pika scores for Magee & Kearney

Patrick Magee saddled his third winner this year as Nika Pika just came out best in an exciting finish to the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Claiming Maiden at Navan.

The Estidhkaar filly was placed in a Curragh nursery last month and was getting off the mark here on her sixth start.

Jack Kearney switched the 10/1 chance left to challenge over a furlong out and she kept on gamely to hold off the strong finishing Guest Star by a neck with Not Far To Fall holding every chance just a head further back in third.

Magee said, “The drier ground probably helped today, she just got stuck in gluey ground in Galway. She had a great run in the Curragh, it was soft ground there but it was loose.

“I'm delighted, she got the mile really well and will get further as she's a half-sister to a two-mile hurdle winner.

“I thought the ground might be quick enough but Jack said they are getting their toe into it.

“We'll look at a nursery now, maybe in Listowel, today was the plan. I was just trying to win a race with this filly, she only cost €1,000, and today was an opportunity to win a race.

“I didn't want to get rid of her and I'm happy to have her.”

There were no claims with nobody even registered to claim beforehand.

Quotes by Gary Carson