Promo Queen (nearest) just gets the better of Vestigia (centre) and Uncle Albert © Photo Healy Racing
Just a short head and a nose separated the first three home in the Fitzpatrick's Garage Group Nursery Handicap, with the Chris Timmons-trained Promo Queen coming out on top.
Fifth and fourth on her most recent starts at Dundalk and Navan respectively, the Advertise filly was sent off a 10/1 chance.
Pushed along to challenge over two-furlongs from home, the Jamie Powell-ridden bay soon edged right and impeded Vestigia (11/4f).
Ridden in third inside the final furlong, the Future Star Syndicate-owned victor ultimately stayed on best to lead in the final strides, with Vestigia having to settle for the runner-up berth.
Returned at 7/2, Uncle Albert was a nose back in third, with a further four lengths back to Pomeriggio in fourth.
"It's tough conditions for a two-year-old filly and she had no cover either. I was impressed, she stuck at it well," said Timmons.
"The ground was a bit of a question mark. The lads are saying it's actually not too bad, sort of summer soft. They haven't really got the rain they were expecting just yet but it's probably here now! She got through it well thankfully.
"Today was the target and we'll see how she comes out of it now. She ran well in Dundalk two starts back so she's probably versatile and she could go back there."
STEWARDS REPORTS
J.A. Powell, rider of Promo Queen, trained by Christopher David Timmons, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount hung right from the halfway mark.
The Raceday Stewards enquired into possible interference inside the last two furlongs involving Vestigia, ridden by R.C. Colgan, placed second, and Promo Queen, ridden by J.A. Powell, placed first, where it appeared interference may have occurred. Evidence was heard from the riders concerned. In his evidence R.C. Colgan stated that his mount received pressure from his outside and got bumped which caused him to loose momentum. J.A. Powell stated that his mount started to hang in two furlongs down but he straightened her as best he could and felt he kept her straight inside the last furlong. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Raceday Stewards were of the opinion that while Promo Queen had caused interference to Vestigia, she did not improve her finishing position as a result of this interference so they made no alteration to the Judge’s placings and took no further action.
R.C. Colgan, rider of Vestigia, trained by Ms. Sheila Lavery, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount got hampered by the winner on the run in.
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
