Sakti lands odds of 1/4 in the maiden

Sakti appeared to have found a good opportunity in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Median Auction Maiden and she duly obliged at odds of 1/4 in the seven-furlong Dundalk event.

The daughter of Caravaggio showed smart form in three outings as a juvenile including when second to Vespertilio in the Group 2 Alpha Centauri Debutante Stakes at the Curragh.

The Ger Lyons-trained filly struck the front under two furlongs out and was just pushed out by Colin Keane to beat 100/1 newcomer Arnaman by a length and a quarter with Cill Mocheallog a further two lengths back in third.

Lyons' brother and assistant trainer Shane Lyons said, "She's a gorgeous filly. Without sounding cocky or anything, we were using it as a piece of work. Ger was adamant that we get the maiden out of the way before we go for trials.

"This race presented itself because she qualifies and it was ideal. When it presented itself, she was ready for it. She was nice and fresh today, so it is great to get her away. It was just another stepping stone.

"There will be nothing done now for another month until the trials come up, and we'll start training her.

"As Colin said, a better race will bring her into the race easier. She wouldn't have to be in front two (furlongs) out with her ears pricked all the way.

"Everything going forward is a bonus - she has already got her black-type and her maiden win. She has (really thrived over the winter) - she is a big, imposing filly."

Quotes by Michael Graham