Dream On Baby leads over the last© Photo Healy Racing
On what was her debut for Emmet Mullins, Dream On Baby easily accounted for seven rivals in the thurlesraces.ie Maiden Hurdle.
Down the field on two previous starts when in the care of Colin Motherway, the Walk In The Park four-year-old was supported from 50s this morning, but drifted before the off to a starting price of 22/1.
Starting off over flights this afternoon and fitted with a tongue strap for the first time, the Seven Heads Group Syndicate-owned victor tracked the leaders under Conor Clarke and travelled best from early in the straight.
Edging to the front before the last, she stretched clear when ridden on the run-in, eventually coming home five and a half lengths to the good.
Returned at 4/1, Bossofthebrownies finished second under Darragh O'Keeffe for Mouse Morris, while the front running Magellan Strait (11/8 favourite) was another length and a half away in third.
"Maxine O'Sullivan rides her out at home and was very happy with her work and said she was in great form but she shocked me at the back of the last how well she went away from them," Clarke reflected.
"That is testing ground out there, it is testing and holding, and she jumped very well. She was a bit keen so I was worried would she finish out but I stalked Danny (Mullins, on Magellan Strait) going down to the last and knew I had a right chance.
"If she learns to settle more, there will be more in the tank and she could now step up to three miles.
"I'm full-time with Emmet and had gone a long time without a winner, so I'm delighted to get it at my home track."
The well-bred victor is out of a half-sister to Rhinestone Cowboy and Wichita Lineman.
Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes
