Porta Fortuna leads from fast-finishing Navassa Island© Photo Healy Racing
Porta Fortuna (8/1) foiled Navassa Island s strong late charge to land the Group 3 Coolmore Stud Irish EBF Fillies Sprint Stakes over an extended five furlongs at Naas.
Porta Fortuna burst through to lead for Gavin Ryan approaching the final furlong and looked to have swiftly settled matters as she began to move clear in the final 150 yards.
She wasn't home, though, as Dylan Browne McMonagle conjured a rattling finish from newcomer Navassa Island (14/1) down the outer. She absolutely devoured the ground in the closing stages and closed to within a neck at the line.
The front two pulled four-and-a-half-lengths clear of third-placed Launch (16/1).
Trainer Donnacha O'Brien said: “We thought she was a nice filly, but obviously you never expect to win with a filly, that's had one run, in a group race. It's nice to see her handle the step up in class well.
“She has a really good pedigree, back along there are a lot of good horses in it.
“She was bought by some American partners, it's great for them and exciting. We'll speak to them now but there is probably a good chance she'll go to Ascot now.
“If she goes it will probably be for the Albany, she looked to get a stiff six furlongs here well.
“She handles all kinds of ground so I wouldn't be worried either way.
“We've had some maiden winners and it's nice to see that they are improving even though they are fairly ready early, that they are able to step up in class. That's a good sign."
Porta Fortuna won on debut over five furlongs at the Curragh.
Paddy Power slashed her from 20/1 to 6/1 for the Albany.
The Italian phrase Porta Fortuna translates to good luck charm.
The Raceday Stewards enquired into an incident about one furlong from the finish involving Bated Moon ridden by D.P. McDonogh, Launch (USA), ridden by K. Stott, Ribchestina ridden by W.J. Lee, What A Squeeze ridden by S. Foley, and Ziggy's Dream ridden by K.T. O'Neill where it appeared that Ribchestina moved to the right and Bated Moon, What A Squeeze and Ziggy's Dream came off their racing line as a consequence. Evidence was heard from the riders concerned. S. Foley stated that his mount was unable to quicken when Ziggy's Dream shifted out onto his racing line when just clear of heels. K.T. O'Neill stated that his mount shied away from Ribchestina but was not impeded. D.P. McDonogh stated that his mount was carried to the right and he had to check but was beaten at the time. W.J. Lee stated that his mount gave no indication of any possible movement until he hit it twice with the whip in his right hand and then he felt it shift a little to the right. He added that he had a strong hold of his mount with his left hand and used the whip in the forehand down the shoulder to straighten her. In his opinion he reacted as quickly as possible and using the best method to straighten his mount at the time. K. Stott stated that his mount edged to the right and was corrected quickly and continued to race in a straight racing line thereafter. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Raceday Stewards found that W.J. Lee was in breach of Rule 214 in that he had ridden carelessly, in that he failed to take timely and sufficient measures to correct the situation. Having considered his record in this regard, the Raceday Stewards suspended W.J. Lee for two racedays.
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
