Russet, near side, holds off Touch Of Gold in Dundalk© Photo Healy Racing
Johnny Murtagh continued his recent purple patch when sending out Russet to land a significant on-course gamble in the three-year-old fillies' maiden Dundalk.
The Qatar Racing Limited horse was making her third racecourse appearance this evening. Both outings were also on the polytrack - 10th on debut over a mile in November before showing improvement to be sixth in December over seven furlongs (the same trip as this race).
More was clearly expected as punters backed her at all rates down from 16/1 to 7/1 on the off.
She broke well from stall one to be just behind fast-starting Midst but was soon pushed up by Colin Keane to lead on the rail. Welcometomyworld (25/1 to 7/1 throughout the day before going off 12/1) joined her on the outside and led narrowly with less than half a mile to travel.
As the pair swept into the home straight, the debutante Welcometomyworld came off the bridle and yielded the lead to Russet in the centre of the track.
The leader was hard ridden by Keane a furlong and a half from home as Touch Of Gold unleashed her challenge on the inside. Spirit Glance was also trying to get on terms on the outside.
Touch Of Gold improved to head Russet approaching the final furlong but, as both jockeys went for everything, it was Russet who edged ahead inside the final half furlong.
She maintained the lead and hit the line half a length up on Touch Of Gold (12/1).
There was a two and a quarter length gap back to Spirit Glance in third at 4/1.
“That was great. She's improving all the time and I thought coming here tonight that she was ready to run her best race,” Johnny Murtagh said.
“She's very, very, genuine and Colin was delighted with her. She's in the sales at Goffs but hopefully they might change their minds now.
“I wouldn't mind keeping her as when she steps up to a mile-and-a-quarter. I think she could be half decent.
“Colin is a top-class jockey. Hopefully it's going to be a big year for him and he can make the next step up. He has everything that's needed.”
This was Murtagh's third winner from five runners in the last fortnight.
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
