Mile End (white cap, centre)© Photo Healy Racing
Mile End (6/1) recorded consecutive wins today, as the Johnny Murtagh trained filly had no trouble defying a recent 12lb ratings hike to easily win Navan's Slane Nursery, under jockey Ben Coen.
Rated 62 when winning at the Curragh on September 24, the Expert Eye-sired filly was today rated 12lb higher and routed 11 rivals, defeating Lazer Port easily by two and a half lengths.
Murtagh, whose Aga Khan-owned Shartash finished fourth on Arc day last Sunday, said “that 12lbs was a fair hike for any two-year-old, but she is getting it together and since the blinkers went on she has sharpened up.
These fillies when they click into gear, you don't know where they are going to end up. Ben (Coen) says she gets through the ground really well.
"I have to speak to the owners and see if that is it for the year or will we go again. We will see how she is over the next couple of days, but she is after winning two and deserves to be on the team next year.
"The way she is going she might make a nice sprinter."
Quotes from Michael Graham