Really there isn't much that Johnny Murtagh touches these days that doesn't turn to gold. He was at it again on Mango Diva in the Group 3 Denny Cordell Lavarack & Lanwades Stud Fillies Stakes at Gowran.
Despite the level of competition the Michael Stoute-runner was facing, punters obviously couldn't resist this trainer/rider combination and they sent off the daughter of Holy Roman Emperor the 7/4 market-leader.
With Caponata (finished last) and Scintillula (eventually stayed on into third) a fair bit removed from their best, it was 14/1 chance Uleavemebreathless that gave Mango Diva most to do. However Murtagh got the winner into full flow from over a furlong out and she eventually came home a length to the good. Pace-setter and last year's winner Aloof couldn't raise her game when it mattered and ended up a short head behind Scintillula in fourth.
Stoute won this prize in 2009 as well with Ave but it was left to Murtagh to explain in the aftermath: "She pulled up a bit when she hit the front. She's a bit cautious and was watching everything but she's going the right way.
"When I eased her out I always thought I'd win. I gave her a smack and she quickened up well. She's with the right man." (AM & EM)
