Sidiza makes it third time lucky for Weld and Roche

Dermot Weld and Leigh Roche teamed up with twice-raced filly Sidiza to win the Navan Racing Festival November 16th & 17th Fillies & Mares Maiden at the County Meath track.

A promising third on her racecourse debut at the Curragh in May, the daughter of Sea The Moon failed to back that up when only sixth next time when stepped up to twelve-furlongs.

Dropped back two-furlongs this afternoon, the Aga Khan owned three-year-old got off the mark despite showing obvious signs of greenness in doing so.

Held up early on, as North Africa led the way, Roche made his move entering the home straight. Valinor looked the most likely winner when looming upsides the latter named colt over a furlong out but Sidiza swept past both fillies inside the final furlong. Liltia emerged from out of the pack to throw down a late challenge but the 8/1 winner held on by half-a-length.

Leigh Roche said: "Little bit sluggish out of the gates and just took a while to get going but, after going a furlong, she kind of latched on a bit.

"She did things wrong but I knew turning in, once I got out, that I was always going to win.

"She has ability, but just raw and green. She ran around a lot the last furlong and a-half and even when she got to the front, she pulled up and didn't do a stroke.

"I think she is going to be a lovely filly and I'd imagine they would keep her in training for next year. She's a filly that would be better as a four-year-old."

Additional reporting by Michael Graham.