Rose De Pierre, far side, beats off Flight Risk in Cork© Photo Healy Racing
The progressive Rose De Pierre kept her unbeaten record as she successfully stepped in class to land the Listed Platinum Stakes over a mile at Cork.
This was the three-year-old filly's third racecourse appearance after two wins at the Curragh for Dermot Weld.
The 7/4 favourite tracked front-running In My Pocket before easing to the front with less than three furlongs to travel.
It was Flight Risk (5/1) who began to wind up his challenge and he really threw down the gauntlet in the final furlong as he flew home. However, Pat Smullen was in the drive position and got Rose De Pierre home by an ever-diminishing half length. Brendan Brackan who boasts an excellent record in Cork, took third at 9/1. He was beaten two and a half lengths by the winner.
Pat Smullen said: "That was a fair effort from an outside draw and to get across. She travelled supremely well, probably in front plenty long enough on her. There was a lack of experience and greenness there as she was just wandering around a little bit in the last furlong but ability got her out.
"She is a filly that needs an ease in the ground. Just at the moment when that presents itself you have to take it. All the more reason the performance was quite pleasing against some old warriors there. She did it very well.
"I like her and I think whatever we get this year will be a bonus and she will make a beautiful four-year-old.
Assistant trainer Kris Weld added: "She is a very sweet and well-bred filly and is a Moyglare family that has been very good for us.
"She'll stay in training next year and her mother was better with age and hopefully the same applies to this filly. She'll stick to a mile for the time being."
Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes
