Caught U Looking and Colin Keane impressed with manner of maiden success. © Photo Healy Racing
Caught U Looking created a big impression when stepping up considerably on her debut effort to run out a very taking winner of the Irish EBF Auction Series Maiden at Leopardstown.
Sixth on her debut at the Curragh last month, the Noel Meade trained daughter of Harzand clearly benefited from that introduction as she looked much more professional here.
Well away from a potentially tricky outside stall in 18, Colin Keane soon had the Meade filly sitting second just off race leader Rose Ellen
Moving up to lead over 2f out, Keane went on a few lengths clear at the furlong pole and stretched further ahead of toiling rivals inside the final 200 yards.
“She did what we thought she'd do,” said Meade.
“We worked a few of them at Navan on Sunday morning. We had a good lead horse with her and she worked very well. Colin jumped off her and said 'where did you get this one?'. Obviously he convinced Ger to let him off.
“I'd say a mile would even be better. She has a nice pedigree. Peter Kelly had her at the sales and he said he'd keep half of her if I bought her.
“Tony (O'Callaghan) came up to me straight after the sales and said 'who did you buy her for?' and I said more or less myself and he said he'd take the other half.
“Now I suppose it's a case of whether they'll hold on to her or not because she's obviously going to be worth a few quid.
“I'd say she's a stakes filly because she can only improve. She's a gorgeous looking filly, she's a smasher. If you were going to paint one you'd paint her.”
The winner was drawn 18 and Meade added:- “Colin said to me in the ring 'I'll know in the first furlong or two whether it's going to work or not' and I said there was no point in killing her if it's not going to work.”
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
