King Of Scotia and Colin Keane © Photo Healy Racing
King Of Scotia asserted in the closing stages to open his account in the Irish Stallions Farms EBF Maiden at Dundalk.
Michael O'Callaghan 's charge, last seen running in Group 3 company at Leopardstown, was sent to post a 4/7 shot dropping back into a maiden in the seven furlong contest.
Colin Keane, notching a quick double, gave his mount a confident ride as he tracked the leaders and made smooth progress in the straight.
The Kessaar gelding was asked for an effort going to the furlong pole and got his head in front inside the final furlong.
He still looked a touch green in front but was always in control from there on as he posted a length-and-a-half win over Shanadar
O'Callaghan said: "Bit disappointed it took us this long to win with this lad. My own fault probably running him in the Killavullan.
“We think he is kind of a nice horse and the ground went soft and we let him take his chance. He wants a sound surface like that.
"Colin was delighted with him today and said he has a lot of natural pace and he just wants to please you. He has a great attitude and he can see him mixing it up next year. He thinks he could be a stakes horse as he matures. We kind of always thought that at home.
"He was a big, muscular, gross horse and it (gelding) really helped him. He has tightened up."
(Quotes by Michael Graham)
