Empress Of Beauty (centre) beats Thunder Roll (left) and Perfect Portrait (right)© Photo Healy Racing
Billy Lee doubled up at Gowran Park tonight when Empress Of Beauty made a winning debut for Henry de Bromhead in the nine-furlong fillies maiden.
The French-bred daughter of Le Havre went to post a 10/1 shot first time out and settled mid-division before making up ground going to the two pole.
She picked up well for Lee's urgings to challenged a furlong from home and hit the front in the closing stages. Lee was easing up close home as Thunder Roll ran on to get within a neck.
The winning jockey said afterwards:- “She was green through the race but every time I wanted her to pick up the bit she travelled.
“When I let her down she was a bit green but to be fair to her she quickened twice.
“She flicked her ears and was up the middle of the track with no rail to help her.
“She just coasted home the last half-furlong. She’s a nice filly going forward.”
Lee had earlier struck on Final Gesture in the Listed Vintage Tipple Stakes.
(Quotes by Alan Magee)
