Be Happy another smart one for team Ballydoyle Aidan O'Brien and Wayne Lordan combined to take the opener at Cork this evening, the Irish Stallion Farms Irish EBF Fillies Maiden, with newcomer Be Happy. The pair also landed the first at Galway yesterday with fellow smart debutant Alexandroupolis, with both winners by Camelot. Supported from 10/3 into 9/4 favouritism, the bay victor was soon towards rear but took closer order on the outer from early in the straight. She was ridden to challenge from the two furlong pole, but it wasn't until well inside the final furlong that she really got going, hitting the front with less than 100 yards to race, going on to score by a length-and-a-quarter. The easy-to-back Foniska (15/2 from 5s) finished second under Shane Foley for Jessica Harrington, while Speirling Beag (18/1) was another half-a-length back in third. "She's a lovely big filly. She's been coming along nicely at home," said stable representative Chris Armstrong. "Wayne gave her a lovely ride and she's a filly to look forward to next year for some of those staying races. "Probably the next step is for her to step into a listed or group race. It was lovely to get the win, when the penny dropped with her." Additional reporting by Gary Carson
