Gan Teorainn and Kevin Manning win at Naas © Photo Healy Racing
Gan Teorainn went one better than her debut second at Down Royal last month, when staying on best to land the opening Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies' Maiden at Naas.
Always prominent under Kevin Manning, the daughter of Saxon Warrior had a prolonged duel with race favourite Dame Kiri for much of the straight, before eventually getting on top inside the final furlong.
Ryan Moore soon had the Aidan O'Brien trained Dame Kiri in front but Manning tracked that pair throughout. Turning out of the back straight, the eventual winner looked to be traveling much easier as Moore began to get lower in the saddle.
However, to her credit, Dame Kiri responded to every urging and for a time it looked as though she would hold off Gan Teorainn. It wasn't until late in the race that Manning got to the leader and from there he was able to go away and win with something in hand.
It was a welcome winner for the trainer, who earlier this afternoon buried his brother, Paddy.
“She did that well. She had a very good run over seven in Down Royal where there were a few experienced horses in the race that just got her on her head down the hill but she finished out very well that day,” said Manning.
“I was happy enough where I was sitting and I was following the right horse. She picked up well when she met the rising ground and went to the line well.
“I think whatever she does as a two-year-old is going to be a bonus, I think she's a real three-year-old in the making. She's a lovely big filly and has a lovely way of going.”
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
