Parramatta swoops to conquer

Jessica Harrington’s Parramatta proved too strong for her rivals in the seven furlong maiden at Laytown as she overcame Captain May to win going away.

Shane Foley did the steering on the four-year-old filly. The pair raced in mid-division and were fourth two furlongs out before powering home in the final furlong to win by two and a half lengths and justify 2/1 favouritism.

Captain May set out to make all and was only collared inside the final furlong by Parramatta. He took second at 16/1 for Andrew Lee and Andrew Thornton. Edenshaw raced in third throughout and held every chance at the furlong pole. He couldn’t quicken from there though and rounded out the placings at 5/2 for Gerard O’Leary and Gary Carroll.

“It worked out as I thought. She was struggling early but the further she was going the better she was going. She loved the surface,” winning jockey Shane Foley commented.

“Fran (Berry), who is out injured, said to me even if they are going a stride too quick she is going to come home as she's the best horse in the race.” Ordinary Man (6/1 from 8/1) turned at the start and didn’t jump off with the others.

Jessica Harrington has now trained a winner at all 26 Irish racetracks.

(On course reporting by Gary Carson)