Ostraka springs 50/1 surprise on debut

Ostraka sprang a 50/1 surprise on debut, as she ran out an impressive winner of the Extra Place Races At Novibet Irish EBF Fillies Maiden.

Trained in partnership by Tracy Collins and Mick Halford, the bay victor, who is out of five-time winner Ostatnia, raced towards rear in the early stages under Ronan Whelan and was pushed along towards the nearside from the two furlong pole.

Ridden to challenge over a furlong out, she swept to the front inside the final 200 yards, going on to score comfortably by two-and-a-half lengths in the colours of owner Anne Freyne.

Returned at 4/1, Roaming Star finished second under Seamie Heffernan, while Sibyl Charm (8/1) was another length-and-a-half back in third.

The Ken Condon trained Saturn Seven was sent off the 5/2 favourite and she finished fifth.

"She's a beautiful filly and was bought by the late Garrett Freyne as a yearling," Halford revealed.

"Last year we brought her to a barrier trial and she disappointed. She lost a shoe and things just didn't work out for her. She kept growing and weakened out on us so we put her away.

"She was working well and only getting going for us now. I thought she would come on for the run as she's very laidback.

"She jumped a bit slow and Ronan just let her find her feet. You'd know from a long way down that she was travelling easy.

"She's from a very fast family, the likes of Osterhase. Hopefully she'll be a black type filly and we'll sit down and see where we go from here."

STEWARDS REPORTS

Following a request from broadcasters, the Raceday Stewards granted permission for a one minute delay to this race

D. McMonagle, rider of Sibyl Charm, trained by Joseph Patrick O'Brien, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount had to check at the half way stage.

N.M. Crosse, rider of Thunder Dance (GB), trained by W. McCreery, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount hung right throughout this race and furthermore the filly lost her action in the last one and a half furlongs.

The Raceday Stewards reviewed an incident about three and a half furlongs from the finish involving Dark Willow ridden by Siobhan Rutledge, Hope And Innocence ridden by S.B. Kelly, and Sibyl Charm, ridden by D. McMonagle, where it appeared that Sibyl Charm ran short of room. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the matter, the Raceday Stewards were satisfied that no further action was warranted.

Additional reporting by Alan Magee