Actress (centre) stays on best under Donnacha O'Brien© Photo Healy Racing
Actress (1/3fav) justified her short odds, as she took the opener at the Curragh, the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Maiden.
A good second to the exciting Alpha Centauri on her debut at Naas earlier this month, the Aidan O'Brien trained bay was expected to go one place better this afternoon.
Settled behind the leaders in fourth, she improved to lead from the furlong pole and was pushed out from there to score by a comfortable three parts of a length under Donnacha O'Brien. Yolo Star finished second at 14/1 under Niall McCullagh for Johnny Murtagh, while Aidan O'Brien also saddled the third horse home, and that was Could It Be Love (5/1) with Colm O'Donoghue in the saddle, another three parts of a length back.
The winning rider said afterwards: "Probably six furlongs would suit her even better but the race was here for her and she's done it very nicely.
"I don't know if she'd run again but I suppose Ascot would have to be on the cards now."
STEWARDS REPORTS
The Stewards enquired into the running and riding of Philadelphia Story ridden by R.P. Whelan, and trained by Sarah Lynam. Evidence was heard from the trainer and rider concerned. Sarah Lynam, trainer, stated that as the rider had not previously ridden this filly, he was instructed to jump off handy and get between horses, get a lead and be mindful that she can be keen. She added that she expected the filly to run well based on her homework on a Polytrack surface. She concluded by stating that R.P. Whelan had informed her post race that he was not happy with this filly on the way to the start and had her checked by a Racecourse Veterinary Officer, furthermore she did not carry him during the race. She expressed her disappointment initially with the performance of her runner but was satisfied with the ride after a post race briefing with the rider and the subsequent report that the filly was slightly lame. R.P. Whelan, rider, confirmed the instructions and added that the filly was pottery going to the start and he had her checked. The Racecourse Veterinary Officer expressed his satisfaction and the filly took part. He further added that the filly was never happy on the surface, was being niggled along from early on, continuously changed her legs and failed to respond when he got a fresh hold of her three furlongs out. He concluded by stating that from past experience that his initial concerns pre race and her reaction during the race suggested that there could be a problem and he minded her in the latter stages of the race. The Stewards also received a report from the Turf Club Veterinary Officer who stated that Philadelphia Story was slightly lame post race. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards noted the explanations. However, the Stewards found that R.P. Whelan was in breach of Rule 213 by failing to report at first instance anything that may have affected his mounts performance and cautioned him having taken his clean previous record into consideration. .
R.P. Whelan, rider of Philadelphia Story, trained by Sarah Lynam, reported at a Stewards enquiry that his mount felt shouldery on the way to the start and did not carry him during this race, furthermore she changed her legs on a number of occasions.
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
