Willamette Valley and Shane Foley win Galway maiden © Photo Healy Racing
Shane Foley and Jessica Harrington returned to the number one spot yet again when Willamette Valley defied a wide draw to land the Guinness Irish EBF Fillies Maiden at Galway.
In a ride similar to earlier winner Roman Hands Foley had to be strong to repel long time leader Ark in a driving finish.
The latter filly had built up a clear lead at one stage but was reeled in by the field before the straight.
Foley then kicked on aboard the eventual winner but to the credit of Ark she kept finding for Wayne Lordan and didn't go down without a fight. Alaroos and River Rain closed on the front pair all the way up the hill but never looked like getting there.
Kate Harrington said; "it was very important, being a Galileo filly, to get that winning bracket with her.
"We'll see where connections want to go next but she loves that soft ground and we'll think about looking for black-type.
"She is very stoutly bred, loved that stamina test and that distance (1m4f) is the minimum for her. She is very game."
Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes
