Praying Mantis and Leigh Roche (left) win from Dark Kris (yellow cap) and Tyriana © Photo Healy Racing
Third at Tipperary on her previous outing, Praying Mantis (6s into 9/2) won the Gowran Park Handicap (45-65) (DIV II) in the hands of Leigh Roche.
Tracking the leaders approaching the straight, the Epaulette filly hit the front over a furlong out and went a couple of lengths clear.
Things got pretty desperate in the final furlong but Roche kept his mount going to hang on by a head and a neck from Dark Kris (14/1) and Tyriana (20/1).
Placed once last year for John Feane, the winner was getting off the mark on her third start for Andrew Kinirons, who could be seen giving his charge plenty of enthusiastic support in the closing stages from the inside of the course.
Kinirons, based at Ladytown Stud near Newbridge, Co. Kildare, was unavailable for comment afterwards but will no doubt have been very pleased to get a winner for owner Ray McSharry, who has enjoyed success in the past with Miss O’Connor and back around the turn of the millennium with Pat Hughes’ grand dual-purpose performer Mantles Prince.
