Baby Basma makes winning debut for O'Neill at Cork Eoghan O'Neill sent out Baby Basma to make a winning racecourse debut in the opening Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Maiden at Cork. Champion jockey Colin Keane was a notable booking on the unraced half-sister to a filly who also made a successful start to her career. Smartly into stride, the daughter of Ardad tracked the leaders in fourth, as Mina Bonita took them along under Rory Cleary. Keane moved closer to the pace over a furlong out, as those at the head of affairs came off the bridle. Initially running a bit green when asked for her effort, the 17/2 chance picked up well inside the final furlong to run out a comfortable one-and-a-half lengths winner. Sup Of Red stayed on nicely from out of the chasing pack to finish second, while Slaney View kept on for minor honours. Eoghan O'Neill said: "I'm delighted and Colin said she was just a bit frightened when she came out of the stalls but then she settled grand. We thought Mr Bolger's (Slaney View) would go on and lead and our filly slotted in behind. "She had been working brilliantly with nice horses at home and for what she was doing at home as a two-year-old, I was fairly confident. "The obvious next place is at Naas on May 18 (Coolmore Juvenile Fillies Sprint) or the Marygate Fillies' Stakes at York, so I'll chat with the boss and see what he says." Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes.
