Port Fairy and Ryan Moore© Photo Healy Racing
Port Fairy benefitted from a fine front-running ride by Ryan Moore to take the Irish Stallion Farms EBF 3yo Spring Series Median Auction Fillies Maiden at Dundalk.
The daughter of Australia was soundly beaten on her only juvenile start on heavy ground at Gowran Park last autumn but found this sounder surface much more to her liking.
The 7/2 chance made most and was ridden by Moore to assert three lengths clear at the home bend.
This proved crucial as she was driven right out inside the final furlong to hold off Lady Doris by a neck with 5/4 favourite Evening Blossom a length and a half back in third.
Chris Armstrong, representing winning trainer Aidan O'Brien, said: "Ryan gave her a very positive ride, a very good ride from the front. He got the fractions right, kicked at the right time and that was probably the winning of it in the end.
“She had one run last year and has come on mentally and physically. She's a filly that's going to stay well, she was just ready to start here tonight and she'll come on fitness wise.
“She'll probably go for an Oaks trial now and she'll able to step up in trip. We'll try and get black-type next and hopefully it's onwards and upwards.
“The way the extra meeting was added the race suited at the right time. It was a lovely median auction maiden to start her in.
“I'd say she wants nice ground, probably no extremes, as she's a good mover.”
Quotes by Gary Carson
