Mna Na Mhi and Mikey Sheehy beat Hypernova © Photo Healy Racing
Mna Na Mhi (8s into 13/2 before the off) was a snug winner of the the five-furlong maiden under Mikey Sheehy.
The Camacho filly, a slow-starting second on debut over six furlongs here in November after being reluctant to load, was trying the minimum trip for the first time on her fourth career start and turned for home in fourth place.
She travelled well in the straight to close on the pace-setting Wait A Little before taking over from that rival inside the final furlong. From there Sheehy only had to push her out to account for the staying-on Hypernova by a length and a half.
Winning trainer Pat Martin said: “Mikey (Sheehy) has got on really well with her. It was a real shock to us that she was difficult at the start as she is so laidback at home — maybe it was just under the lights the first day.
“The last day I stupidly went up to seven (furlongs). She was the last horse off the bridle and then just didn’t get home.
“She did one bit of work since her last run and it was very fast. We were hoping today to drop her in and get her to relax.
“She loves the surface here so whether we can find something else or not I don’t know but it’s great that she has won.
“I think she’ll get six if she relaxes as well as she did today. Mentally she grew up today.”
Quotes from Alan Magee
