Empire strikes back for Hayes and Harty Evening's Empire stayed on well under jockey Chris Hayes to win the Irish EBF Auction Series Maiden for the father and son team of Eddie and Patrick Harty at Galway. A fast finishing fourth at Navan last time, the grey filly, having just her third start, was away smartly from her wide draw and tracked the early leaders. Hayes was content to keep her wide throughout and made his challenge on the outer approaching the straight. The Kevin Prendergast trained Roman Moon looked like she wasn't for catching at that point but Hayes asked for more and his mount responded. Keeping on well to win with something to spare, the daughter of Kessaar looks a nice filly who should stay further. Eddie Harty, “I’d forgive any horse a debut run in Bellewstown and then last time in Navan the ground was fast and she just caught the top of the ridges but flew home. “Today she was professional enough. She was a bit free going a slower speed but she is a work in progress and mentally she will switch on. “We might go the nursery route.” Additional reporting by Alan Magee
