Lucky Vega (Shane Foley) accounts for Lipizzaner (Seamie Heffernan) and Alex D (Colin Keane)© Photo Healy Racing
A 175,000 Euro yearling and bred by the famed Kilcarn Stud in County Meath, Lucky Vega (8/1 into 9/2 second favourite) was good on debut, taking the Irish Stallion Farms EBF (C & G) Maiden at Naas.
This looked likely to be another for Aidan O’Brien and Seamie Heffernan, after their opening race success, when odds-on favourite Lipizzaner hit the front over a furlong out.
That Uncle Mo colt had the benefit of experience but he was worried out of it and beaten half a length by the Jessica Harrington-trained and Shane Foley-ridden Lucky Vega. Alex D ran well for third, another half a length back.
“You would have to be happy with him. He never came off the bridle at home and Shane said he was very green throughout the race. He was on the grass once or twice at home but that was it and they were only steady bits,” said Mrs Harrington’s daughter Kate.
“We thought he was a nice horse and it’s great to see him do it on the track. He showed a great attitude in the finish and he’s only going to improve.
“Mum will talk to the owner (Zhang Yuesheng) and see what he wants to do. He’s a big horse and I’d say he’s only 80 percent there.”
For the Coventry at Royal Ascot Betfair introduced Lucky Vega as a 16/1 chance.
G.F. Carroll, rider of Coill Avon trained by G.M.Lyons, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount dived to the left when challenging.
S.M. Crosse, rider of Hype trained by Joseph Patrick O'Brien, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount met with unintentional interference and was checked as a result of this.
D.P. McDonogh, rider of Larado (FR), trained by Joseph Patrick O'Brien, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount was bumped from the inside.
W.J. Lee, rider of Laws Of Indices trained by K.J. Condon, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount ran green and was slightly checked.
S. Foley, rider of Lucky Vega, trained by Mrs John Harrington, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount was green in the closing stages and briefly moved left.
(AM & EM)
