Arabeska is ridden out by Billy Lee© Photo Healy Racing
Arabeska got a deserved win to her name, as she took the opener at Gowran, the Kullens Kitchens Thomastown Irish EBF Maiden.
Placed on her last three starts and beaten by just a short head at Dundalk in April, the Willie McCreery trained bay certainly wasn't winning out of turn.
Sent off the 7/4 second favourite (from 2s on-course) under Billy Lee, the daughter of Bated Breath was prominent in the early stages, improving to lead after two furlongs.
She was pushed along and extended her advantage with over a furlong left to race, keeping on well when ridden to score by two and three parts of a length. Hightimeyouwon who was sent off the 6/4 favourite, had to settle for second under Oisin Orr for Dermot Weld, while the Joe Murphy trained Throwaway Line (12/1) was another three parts of a length back in third.
"I thought she was very unlucky the last day to bump into what is probably a good horse of John Oxx's (Highland Dress)," said McCreery.
"She did nothing wrong and I thought she ran a lovely race in Cork. She ran a lovely race there again.
"You'd nearly say she's a handicapper in amongst maidens as she's so professional. We'll see what the handicapper does now.
"The syndicate (the Imperial Crown Syndicate) like to get black-type for fillies to go on and breed from eventually. They are the same owners as Nitro Boost. We'll be looking for a bit of black-type for her in the long run."
The winner, who was bought for E90,000 as a yearling, is a half-sister to Syntax - a Grade 3 winner in America.
STEWARDS REPORTS
The Stewards enquired into possible interference approximately a furlong from the finish involving Mater Matuta ridden by K.J. Manning, placed fourth and Throwaway Line, ridden by G.F. Carroll, placed third, where it appeared Throwaway Line leaned onto Mater Matuta. Evidence was heard from the riders concerned. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards made no alteration to the Judge's placings. The Stewards did however find G.F. Carroll in breach of Rule 214 by riding carelessly and having taken his record into account suspended him for 1 race day.
S. Foley, rider of Dali's Dream trained by Mrs John Harrington, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount was slow away.
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
